What to do if termites come back

Getting rid of termites in and around your Phoenix home can be a frustrating process. Just when you thought your home was safe again, the termites come back. Then you have to start the process all over again. Not only can this be dangerous to your home, but it can also be costly over time. Here’s what you need to know to keep your home termite-free. 

Why Termites Come Back 

When termites come back to the same property over and over again, it is not that the treatment didn’t work. More likely is that the home still provides a suitable habitat for them. It is not the same termites coming back, but rather a new colony forming. It is crucial that you stay on top of your treatments and take steps to make your home less attractive to termites. 

Don’t Invite Termites to Your Home 

Termites come back to homes that provide safe shelter with easy access to wood. The best way to stop them from coming back is to prevent them from ever coming in the first place. Here in Phoenix, we most often see subterranean termites, which nest underground and come in through the base of your home to feed on the wood. 

Firewood, tree trimmings, and other wood scraps around your yard can be incredibly attractive. Do your best to keep your property free of wood waste so that there is nothing to draw them in. If you need firewood for a wood-burning fireplace or fire pit, store it in a sealed container rather than in the open air whenever possible. 

Subterranean termites burrow into the ground, and this is much easier for them to do when the soil is soft. Damp areas around your property are prime locations for these pests. They use the mud not just to construct their homes, but also to tunnel into your house. Keep your property as dry as you can around the base of the house. Avoid planting anything right next to the structure. 

Treat Regularly 

If you don’t want them to come back, treating them one time may not be enough. While this can get rid of the initial colony, it will only serve as a preventative measure for a limited time. Retreating your home periodically is the only way to stop termites from coming back. The treatment will make the environment unsuitable for them. 

After Treatment 

Once your home has been treated for termites, it is smart to repair the damage as quickly as possible. As such, you’ll want to restore yours so it doesn’t attract them again. Depending on the coverage included in your homeowner’s insurance policy, termite damage may be covered. This isn’t always the case, though, so check with your insurer for verification. 

As you go through the repairs, start with any sections that are load-bearing. Load-bearing walls are the most critical to your home’s structure. After that, you can work your way through other damaged sections as time and budget permit. Be sure to keep up with your treatments during the repairs. The exposed wood can attract them. The last thing you want is a reinfestation in the wood you just had repaired! 

Schedule Your Next Treatment 

Don’t let termites come back to your Phoenix home after treatment. With Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination, you’ll get ongoing termite treatments for your home to keep it termite-free for as long as possible. We welcome you to get in touch with us at any time for a termite and pest inspection of your property. When you work with us, we won’t let termites come back to your home.

Call today to get started.