Instructions / Assembly

7
Where to Look
Listed below are additional areas to check for possible termite activity.
Cracks in concrete foundation. These give termites hidden access to your home.
Posts in concrete. If the post goes all the way through the concrete to the soil underneath,
termites can attack the wood.
Earth-filled porches. Soil should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) below the level of any
wooden supports.
Formboards. If left in place after construction is completed, they provide excellent
termite food.
Leaking pipes or faucets. They keep the wood or soil underneath continually moist.
Shrubbery near air vents. Anything that blocks airflow causes air underneath the house
to remain warm and moist — an ideal climate for termites.
Debris under and around the house. Scrap pieces of wood support a termite colony
and permit termites to increase in number to the point that the home is eventually
attacked.
Low foundation walls or footings. These permit wooden supports to contact the
soil.
Brick veneer covering foundation. If bond fails, termites have hidden entrance
between exterior and foundations.
Flower planters. If built against the house, they allow direct access to unprotected
veneer, siding or cracked stucco.
Wood forms around drains. Forms left in a hole in the slab where a drain enters the
building provide a direct route to inner walls.
Porch steps on ground. Steps in contact with soil literally offer termites a stairway
to your home.
Area around heating unit. Soil here is kept warm year-round, which accelerates
termite development.
Paper collars around pipes. Paper is made of wood, which is the termites’ food
source.
Trellises. If a trellis touches the soil and is connected to the house, it provides a direct
link for termites from soil to wood.