Subterranean termites live in soil but feed on wood. They forage constantly, moving through the soil looking for buried and rotting wood, and moving above the soil through protective mud tubes. When they find a food source, termite workers can move into the wooden frames of homes, fences and buildings.

Termites like two things: wood and moisture, and they especially like it when the two are found together. Wood that is in direct contact with soil is especially susceptible to termite attack. Anything that you can do around your home to make things tough for termites is a good thing.

Twelve Ways to Keep Termites Away From Your Home

1. Install shrubs, mulch and other landscaping at least 2 feet from the foundation

2. Minimize or eliminate wood mulch; use gravel or artificial mulch

3. Keep wooden fences, planter boxes and other wood items at least 2 feet from the foundation

4. Stack firewood and scrap lumber well away from your home

5. Make sure there is at least a 6-inch gap between the ground and the bottom of stucco or other siding

6. Make sure wooden steps, lattice work and door frames are not in contact with soil

7. Place sprinkler heads more than 2 feet from the foundation and make sure they don’t wet the walls

8. Divert air conditioner condensation, sump discharge, and other water away from the foundation of your home

9. Slope soil away from the house so surface water drains easily

10. Clean gutters and downspouts and keep splash blocks in place

11. Eliminate wood debris, newspapers, and excess moisture from crawlspaces and basements

12. When remodeling, use treated lumber and make sure wood scraps or forms are not buried in backfill

[Source: The Dow Chemical Company, manufacturers of the Sentricon System Termite Bait Monitors used by Colonial Pest Control]

Photo Credit: United States Department of Agriculture via Wikimedia Commons Image Number k8085-