What's eating your house?

What do you know about Termites? I listened to a pest expert not long ago and heard some amazing and scary stories. I, like most homeowners knew very little about the danger they pose on a home. Frankly, the only time I thought about termites was when I sold my house and it needed to be inspected. I would cross my fingers and just hope that the creepy things weren't in my house. Now I know that prevention is the best practice when dealing with Termites.

Here are few common preventive measures:

• Keep moisture out. Downspouts and gutters will keep water away from the foundation.
• Do not store mulch, firewood and wood chips by the house or in the garage(guilty).
• Make sure shrubs and vines aren't to close to the home. They should not be covering vents.
• Reduce humidity in basements and crawl spaces.
• Seal gaps and cracks around vents, windows and roof eaves.
• Remove tree stumps and roots near the home.
• If your neighbor finds out they have termites, you should have your home inspected.

The best prevention measure is to schedule regular inspections by a pest specialist. Cedar Rapids has a bustling termite population and many specialists to choose from. The cost is usually under $100.00 depending on your property. Keep in mind, if your detached garage is infested, your house will need to be treated too. The cost of treatment can vary from market to market and type of property.

Now Google Termites and learn about how interesting, scary and amazing these creatures are.