Having a house made of logs gives you tremendous satisfaction as a homeowner. It provides people a spectacular view and gives a glimpse of the 18th century sense of style in home construction. But the interior may just be a totally different story when termites have began eating away inside the logs. If such is the case, this can bring extensive harm to the entire structure. It is a good thing that this can be avoided.
Protect your home from destructive termites and various insects through proper home maintenance. As a matter of fact, termites subsist in moist places, and extensive exposure to air and sun could kill them. If your logs remain dry, these will not attract termites for sure. But this must not be a reason to loosen your guard. You must continue to be alert for the possibility of a termite attack. You never know when they might strike.
Tips to Outsmart Them
Check your gutter regularly for leaks. This may cause your logs to get damped or soaked. It is the same with you air conditioning unit. Make sure its leaks do not get into wooden structures as well.
When you are building a new home, make certain the contractor restrains from burying in the soil any wooden leftovers from their job. The rotting extras just might provide an invitation for another termite settlement. You have to be certain that a termite shield is installed underneath your sill plate. The sill plate is the bottom plate placed on top of the foundation that supports frames or floors your house.
Borate-Based Treatment
Treatments with borate base can also be used an effective alternative to keep termites, insects and various fungi away, preventing destruction of any wooden structure in the log house. To use, you can brush or spray it on the surfaces of wood. Also, you can soak these wooden materials in the solution with borate base.
Borate is a mixture of various chemicals with water that averts decay in wood due to fungus. This chemical mixture eliminates termites, carpenter ants, and roaches instantly. When these destructive creatures have already spread, the mixture is combined with other chemical formulations, such as fungicides, insecticides, and termiticides to make it more effective in combating the these creatures.
More Anti-termite Steps
By filling holes or gaps with waterproof material, you can also keep these insects at bay. This process is called caulking and is a proven method. Also, firewood should not be piled nearby since these might already be infected with termites or insects.
Frequent examination should be conducted on the different parts of your home. This should be done on areas like the porch, the attic, window frames, and most especially the foundation. Those corners that are not regularly cleaned or attended to should be given special attention too. It is good to be both methodical and thorough.
Take to heart these measures. It will be to your benefit if you carry them out for your protection. You would not wish to own a house that is on the verge of destruction; your most prized asset eaten away by termites. It is cheaper to be able to prevent it from happening, rather than spending a considerable amount for repairs.
