How do I protect my business from termites?

What steps can I take to protect my commercial property from termites?

Protecting a commercial property from termites is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time fix. Termites are persistent, and the conditions that attract them, such as moisture, wood, and warmth, are often ever-present in a working building.

The goal is to reduce risk, detect activity early, and respond quickly when needed. Here are a few basic steps that you should take:

1. Start with a professional inspection

If you haven't had a termite inspection recently, that's the right place to start. A thorough inspection by an expert termite control technician will identify any current activity, assess the risk factors specific to your building, and give you a clear picture of what protection measures make sense. 

2. Reduce the conditions that attract termites

• Keep soil and mulch at least 12 inches from the building's foundation
• Fix leaks and improve drainage to reduce moisture buildup, and clean gutters to keep them from overflowing and rotting fascia boards
• Store wood, cardboard, and paper products off the floor and away from exterior walls
• Remove dead wood, tree stumps, and debris from the grounds
• Seal cracks and gaps in the foundation and around utility entry points

3. Put a monitoring and treatment program in place

Each business is different, but an ongoing termite control program will typically involve regular monitoring and inspections, prevention measures in the form of landscape management and barrier treatments, and rapid response if necessary.

4. Train your team to spot the signs

Your facilities staff and building managers can be a valuable early warning system. Make sure they know the key signs of termites, including mud tubes, discarded wings from termite swarmers, hollow-sounding wood, and frass. The earlier activity is reported, the easier it is to address.