Installing wood fencing is an excellent way to increase your property’s curb appeal, as well as boost privacy and security. With proper maintenance, your investment can last for decades. However, you should take precautions against termite damage. Over time, an infestation can cause significant and costly damage to the fence and structure of your home. Below are several strategies for preventing termite issues.

How to Keep Your Wood Fence Free of Termite Damage

1. Know the Signs

The best way to prevent termites from eating your wooden fencing is to check it often for an infestation. If you detect termite activity early enough, you can remove the colony and avoid too much damage. Look for cracks, holes, and bubbles in the wood, as well as piles of fecal droppings, which look like small wood pellets or sawdust. If they do significant harm, you will likely need to replace the fence. 

2. Install Treated Wood 

When you install new wood fencing, you should make sure the materials have a wood treatment. This means the wood has insecticides inside to help make it resistant to termites. These treatments keep the insects from recognizing the wood, and if they do burrow in, the chemicals will stop the bugs before they can cause damage.

3. Apply a Preservative

Coating your fence in a wood preservative is another way to minimize the risk of termite damage. You should do this once a year before painting or staining the fence. The chemicals will soak into the wood and help make it undetectable to the insects. You can also apply an oil-based stain or termite-resistant paint that strengthens the wood and prevents termites.

4. Eliminate Nearby Attractors

Areas with plants, water, and mulch create the ideal environment for termites. They’ll use nearby vegetation to climb onto the fence, and they prefer damp areas and mulch that can serve as sources of food and water. Move plants from around your wooden fencing and eliminate accessibility to moisture. This also helps to prevent excess water from rotting your fence, which is another costly form of damage.

If you have extensive damage to your wood fencing due to termites, turn to A & B Fence. They’ll help install a new fence made with high-quality, treated materials for better resistance against future infestations. For more than 50 years, the family-owned company has been offering the residents of Licking County, OH, a variety of beautiful and affordable fencing options built with superior craftsmanship. Call (740) 344-7943 to request an estimate, or visit them online to learn more about their services.