According to PestWorld.org, termites cause about five billion dollars in property damage every single year. With this statistic in mind, it's no surprise why many homeowners tend to panic when they discover the presence of termites in their home. Here are a few tips that will help you prevent termite infestations so that you won't ever have to deal with costly termite damage.

Alter Structures

To reduce the likelihood of a termite infestation, you should alter the structures within your home to make them less attractive to termites. Any exposed wood surfaces should be covered with either a metal barrier or some sort of sealant. Strive to seal up all openings on the outside of your home, as these openings can provide termites with easy access to your home. It is also vital that you use caulk, grout, or cement to seal up any openings where utilities pass through your home's walls. You should focus on filling all cracks in the foundation of your home, especially if it's made out of cement.

If your home is currently in the process of being constructed, have the constructors make a concrete foundation for your home. Ventilation space should also be left between the wood and soil.

Reduce Moisture

Termites tend to be very attracted to moisture. Therefore, you should strive to keep the soil around your home's foundation as dry as possible. You can accomplish this with thorough drainage and proper grading. The gutters and downspouts must be maintained to prevent the flooding of water around the foundation of your home. As you soon as you discover any leaks within your home, have them fixed immediately.

Get Rid of Debris

As you likely know, termites absolutely love debris, especially debris that consists of wood or wood products. Debris typically serves as both a food source and a habitat for termites. Therefore, you want to avoid storing or piling wood debris or firewood anywhere near your home. Don't plant shrubs or trees too close to your home. Shrubs or trees also shouldn't be allowed to grow near exposed wood surfaces. Either cut down the tree or shrub, or cover the exposed wood surface with metal or sealant.

Most homeowners find out about termite infestations after the pests have caused plenty of damage to the home. Therefore, if you want to avoid the high costs associated with termite damage, prevention is definitely the best option. Contact a company like Paramount Exterminating Co for more helpful tips for keeping termites at bay.