Ministry Maintenance: Prevent Termite Infestations

Look for signs of infestation

Termites may begin attending your church or school long before you know they're there. Here are some signs that you have unwelcome visitors:

• An indoor swarm of white, flying insects in the spring.
• Discarded, papery wings near doors and in windowsills.
• Straw-sized mud tubes along beams or your building's exterior.
• Wood that sounds hollow when tapped.

Prevention is difficult, especially in damp regions. Here are some recommendations from Terminix:

• Fix roof or plumbing leaks. The moisture from these allows termites to survive above ground.
• Ensure gutters drain properly and direct moisture away from foundations.
• Eliminate all wood-to-soil contact around the foundation. Do not stack firewood or other wood debris against the side of the building.
• Keep mulch or soil away from your building's siding. It's best to have a barrier of a few inches.
• Remove items like scrap lumber, boxes, and even old books or newspapers from crawl spaces.
• Maintain adequate ventilation in crawl spaces.
• Use a mesh screen on all windows, doors, and ventilation openings.
• Have your building inspected by a trained professional at least once a year. Prompt treatment and regular inspections can save thousands of dollars in damage repair.