As the most invasive – and expensive – pest in the US, termites are every American homeowners worst fear, as a full-blown infestation can cost thousands to eliminate, while damages to the home and its foundation can cost up to tens of thousands of dollars, if the termite problem is left to develop.

In Missouri – including in Lee’s Summit, Overland Park and Kansas – subterranean termites are the dominant species, and unluckily this species is also the most destructive

Building mud tubes as tunnels with which to access nutrition, subterranean termites almost exclusively build their colonies and set their network in the substructure of the home, allowing them to slowly but surely eat their way through its foundation. Here is how to check your home for termites and mud tunnels.

One of the best things you can do to safeguard your home against termites, is to have regular termite inspections carried out – and the pest control professionals will also recommend preventative measures or, if the worst happens, a treatment plan, which is specialized to your unique situation. Along with having a professional inspection every so often you should regularly check your home for termites. Here is a home maintenance calendar to help you schedule this self-inspection along with other pest control related activities.

While there are a number of well-known preventive measures to take against termites, many don’t take to time to proof their doors – despite the fact that, like us, termites often get into our houses in the same way that we do.

So, what can you do to proof your doors against termites, and safeguard against other pests and insects as a bonus?

Install a threshold/door sweep to the bottom of the door.

Sealing the gap between the bottom of the door and the threshold, a door sweep – a device which can be made of neoprene, nylon brush, or vinyl – can be installed at the bottom of your door. This device prevents air, water, and, most importantly, termites and other invasive pests from getting into your home.

Combining this with a steel or aluminium threshold under your door can prevent 100% of bugs from crawling under the door and gaining access to your home.

Add weatherstripping to the perimeter of your door.

Weatherstripping is used around the perimeter of your door, sealing the gap between it and its frame to ensure that termites and other bugs can’t sneak in around the perimeter.

In addition to this, the primary purpose of weatherstripping is to ensure that rain and water is kept out of your home – an added bonus to this lesser-known bug busting device.

Keep mulch at least 5” away from your door (and the perimeter of your home).

Subterranean termites have often been found to shelter in mulch – as well as many other areas which are moist, dark, and close to the ground, such as log stores close to the home.

This means that all such havens should be kept well away from your doors – especially mulch, which creates ideal living conditions for termites – where termites and other mulch-loving bugs are hang out, before eventually wandering to, and through, your door, and gaining access to your home.

Install a screen on your door, so that it can be protected even when the door is open.

In the sweltering days of summer, it’s only natural that you’d want to open your doors and windows, to let in a fresh breeze and to relieve the stuffiness of an over-heated home. However, when you open your doors to relieve yourself of the heat, or simply to enjoy the fresh air, you also leave yourself vulnerable to an array of critters, including termites.

To allow yourself to enjoy the luxury of a cool breeze through the home – while continuing to ensure that you’re safeguarded against termites – you should consider installing a door screen, which allows air in, while still preventing termites from entering your home.

So, if you want to proof your doors against termites – as part of a comprehensive termite treatment plan