November is a beautiful month as it transitions us from the fun of fall into the festive holidays of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. It is a holiday for being thankful for all you have. Most often, it is celebrated with family and friends sharing a Thanksgiving meal. Think about your last Thanksgiving dinner and what was on the menu—juicy turkey, stuffing, and pumpkin pie. You probably ate much more than you should have and pushed yourself away from the table when you needed to loosen a notch on your belt. There is a creature that eats more than you during Thanksgiving. The humble termite eats 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These are the type of guests that will eat you out of house and home. Having a regular termite inspection of your Pleasanton home helps keep these wood-boring pests away.

How to Have a Termite-Free Thanksgiving – A Recipe for Success

Before you baste the bird in your oven and bake those delicious pies, take these steps to ensure the only guests in your home are human:

  1. Keep moisture away from your home’s foundation. Subterranean termites, in particular, love moisture. Often, there is moisture build-up in your foundation and crawl space. By removing the moisture, you can thwart pests. Look at the storm drains coming off your gutters. They should empty a few feet away from the foundation. Clean out your gutters and downspouts of debris. Install a vapor barrier in your crawl space. You may even need to install a dehumidifier.
  2. Seal gaps. A gap of 1/32nd of an inch is all it takes for termites to find themselves in your home. Over time, wood, metal, concrete, and PVC shrink and expand, causing settling and leading to cracks. Areas to look for cracks include water and gas lines, pipes, and the foundation. You will also want to remove any rotten or damaged wood.
  3. Remove access to their food sources. Don’t leave out a banquet for these wood-chewers by neglecting dead trees and rotting wood. If you have a tree stump, it is wise to remove it, too. Avoid leaving newspapers, cardboard boxes, and other paper products around your home for extended periods.
  4. Establish regular termite inspections from a reputable company. The best defense against these homewreckers is to schedule routine inspections. A licensed professional has a trained eye. They can see the things the rest cannot.

Give Thanks for Your Termite-Free Home with Help from a Trusted Company

Don’t let the possibility of a termite infestation stop you from celebrating with family and friends. The team at Times Up Termite is ready to help. Our trained technicians conduct thorough termite inspections in the Pleasanton area and provide you with a report of their findings. We offer treatment options such as the eco-friendly, reduced-risk solution called Altriset, an excellent choice for homes where children, pets, or pregnant moms reside. We also recommend bait monitoring and bait stations by BASF. Contact us today to learn more.

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.