We are aware of spring cleaning—that time of year when a house gets aired out, and a flurry of cleaning occurs. What about fall cleaning? Just like spring is the opportunity to wake your home and property up for the blossoming trees, fall is a great time to take care of some things around your Pleasanton home. There are gutters to clean out, trees to trim, and wood piles to remove from your foundation. Not only will a fall cleanup make your property look nicer, but it will also keep it safer from the infestation of wood-boring home wreckers. Your fall cleaning routine should include a termite inspection from a trained pest control professional.

Use Fall Cleaning to Protect Your Pleasanton Property

You can reduce the chances of a termite infestation of your home when you take these steps:

1. Eliminate or reduce wood contact with the ground. Termites love wood. The subterranean species will dig up through the soil and into any debris lying on the ground. Even your wood siding is up for grabs if it is in contact with the ground. You may need to remove mulch or pull it back from the foundation. If you have lattice work, cut off the bottom. Sometimes, you may need to regrade the soil around your foundation.
2. Wick moisture away from your foundation. You do not want to let water accumulate around your foundation. It’s like putting up an “Eat at Joe’s” sign for termites, as they love moisture. Keep your gutters clean and properly functioning. Also, be sure to use downspouts and splash blocks correctly. If you see a leaking faucet or air conditioning unit, get it repaired as soon as possible. You want to drain all water and moisture away from your foundation.
3. Keep your crawl space dry. As previously mentioned, these wood-chewing pests love moisture. If your crawl space has water, you may open the doors to an infestation. Check that there is proper airflow and that the vents are clear of debris. A soil cover may be an excellent choice to reduce the evaporation of moisture in the soil, which causes condensation on your floor joists.
4. Move firewood away from your foundation. Firewood should never be stored against your foundation or inside your crawl spaces. It is also a good idea to remove any stumps, roots, and dense plants from around and beneath buildings. The piles will attract termites where they can enter your home.

Top Off Fall Clean Up with a Timely Termite Inspection

Keep your property in tip-top shape with seasonal cleanups and regular termite inspections. Times Up Termite will inspect every nook and cranny of your home. Afterward, we will present you with the results, including options for eradicating these pests. One such option is Altriset, an eco-friendly, reduced-risk pesticide, which is an excellent choice for homes with children, pets, or pregnant moms. We may also suggest Trelona bait traps from BASF, a high-quality product we use to rid your home of termites and avoid further damage. Don’t let termites take over your home. Protect your family with a termite inspection today.

Call 510-568-7200 to speak with our team of experienced, licensed professionals at Times Up Termite, Inc. You can also contact us online to request a free termite inspection in Pleasanton.