How to Prevent a Termite Infestation in Your Cabin
There’s nothing like getting away to your custom Texas cabin for a much-needed vacation only to find that termites have taken over. While termites are not the most detrimental as far as carrying diseases and sicknesses go, they can cause an extreme amount of financial damage to your cabin. Here are five ways you can prevent and treat termites that are infesting your cabin.
Understand what attracts termites
If there is one thing that anyone knows about termites, it’s that they love to eat wood. But why? Termites require cellulose and nutrients provided by the wood in order to live. They are able to digest wood and paper products due to protozoa and bacteria that they have in their gut which allows them to break down the fibers that are stored in wood.
Install a Cabin Termite Prevention Barrier
There are a few ways that you can prevent termites in your cabin during the initial building process. One way to start is by treating the wood on your cabin with a safe for you, but undesirable chemical for insects. Putting a physical barrier up to separate your home from the ground is also an extremely effective way to keep termites out. You can either DIY it yourself or get a product specifically made for termite prevention.
Lessen Wood to Ground Contact
Another thing that draws in the termites is the moist areas of wood. When wood from your cabin touches the ground, the wood is then provided the opportunity to accumulate the moisture that the termites love the most. To lessen the wood-to-ground contact, it’s a good idea to add a block of concrete or some other strong building material that is at least a full six inches away from the soil. The less wood touching the ground, the better.
Fill in cracks and repair rotten areas
Termites can fit into cracks as small as 1/32 inches, so it’s important that you fill in the cracks that a termite would be able to fit into. Rotten areas of wood also present an opportunity for termites to get in, as the wood is weakened and made even easier for entry. You can fill the cracks with things like caulk or some expanding insulation.
Complete routine check-ups
Just like any other home, it’s smart to do regular and thorough checkups of the places that you usually don’t have to worry about. Try to eliminate high-moisture areas to reduce the attraction of your cabin and use the proper treatments on your home to lessen the risk of infestation. It could also be beneficial for you to occasionally hire a professional to investigate for possible termite infestations.
Termites can be one of the most stressful parts of owning a cabin, but it doesn’t have to be! With the proper preparation and prevention, worrying about termites can be a thing of the past. Ormeida Cabins is proud to build you your dream custom Texas cabin and it is our promise to take the necessary steps in order to keep your cabin termite-free.
You deserve the Ormeida Difference! Call us today to speak with one of our professionals to figure out how to start building the best custom cabin for you!
