Keep plants away from buildings
As lovely as a small garden may look right next to a house, the fact is that it can cover up termite activity and give the pests a free pass into your home. Keep gardens and vegetation a reasonable distance away from your home.
Do not disturb
If you think that you detect termite activity, resist the urge to take matters into your own hands. Disturbing the pests will only cause them to relocate, making inspectors’ jobs more difficult. They could also spread out the damage to other parts of the home.
Keep timber away from the home
Take care to remove any and all timber debris from around and under your home and its outbuildings. Remove old, dead tree stumps, too. All of these things can act as food sources for a termite colony. Store timber in a place that is well ventilated and dry.
Be cautious with new additions
All too often, additions to a home invite termite guests in. Be especially wary when building an addition that has a concrete-besides-timber design. A physical or chemical barrier should be laid down prior to building such additions.
Keep moisture at bay
If you have suspended floors in your home, make sure that they have plenty of ventilation. Otherwise, moisture can build up – and termites love moisture and humidity. Be sure to take care of leaking pipes immediately, and keep your eyes peeled for signs of poor drainage.