When termites invade your home, you need help from a professional to eliminate them and prevent structural damage. However, before the experts get to work, they may advise you to take a few steps to ensure the treatment is effective. At Dick’s Fumigation Services, in Wailuku, HI, they’ll inspect your home after you make an appointment and provide recommendations that minimize the likelihood of the pests returning.

Some of the tasks they often ask clients to take care of include the following:

• Cutting Grass & Weeds: Ground termites and other pests often enter homes through tall grass, weeds, and bushes that grow close to the house. These plants offer insects a safe way to travel from the yard to the building. Fumigating will not be an effective treatment if these protected paths still exist. Before the technicians arrive, trim your plants to create a buffer zone. If you have any lumber on your property, store it at least 30 feet away from the house to avoid attracting termites.
• Clean Gutters & Downspouts: Plant debris like leaves and twigs can accumulate in your gutters and downspouts. In addition to causing messy clogs, these blockages also provide termites with food, shelter, and an easy way to access your home. Cleaning these fixtures on a regular basis reduces the risk of an infestation. Taking this step before a fumigation service ensures there are no termites near the home that may enter after the treatment.
• Seal Entry Points: Filling the gaps in your home’s exterior eliminates convenient entry points for pests. However, many people only pay attention to highly visible places like window and door frames. The areas where water and utility lines enter a home are also common access points, so they should be sealed and inspected as well. 

Termite infestations can be frustrating, but they are both treatable and preventable. In addition to resolving the problem you have now, the professionals at Dick’s Fumigation Services will help you identify the steps you can take to prevent these pests from returning. Contact the team online or call (808) 244-7496 to learn more about scheduling an appointment.