Tips to Keep Your Pool Area Termite-Free

Many people believe that because your pool is made of solid construction materials like reinforced concrete and ceramic tiles, your pool is in no danger of termite infestation. Think again. Pools and surrounding pool areas are also prime targets of termites.

It would worsen the problem considerably if you chose to delay action to prevent termites from creating a town of their own around your pool. The following information includes some tips for a termite free pool.

Why termites are attracted to pool areas

What is it in pools that attract termites? One is wood, another is water. Your pool definitely has water. And despite the all-cement or ceramic construction, chances are, the surrounding areas of the pool will have wooden decks, wooden shades, wooden diving boards, shrubbery and landscaping where wood will be there. Added to this, if you live in a mostly arid area, termites will be water-starved that your pool becomes their primary target. The wooden areas around the pool become a bonus to them, too.

Pools also have wooden liners, wooden walk-ways, wooden outhouses for pool equipments, filters, and the like. Many pools have wood chips or some sort of landscaping around the main pool and pump area. These landscape additions usually contain a good amount of wood or shrubbery. Any of these areas may be harboring a termite colony already.

What can you do?

The prevention can come before or after the pool construction. For in-ground pools, the ground area needs to be treated prior to pool construction. For above-ground pools, the pool liners in addition to the surrounding areas will have to be treated. As the soil around the pool foundation is treated with termite pesticide, it will at least last for a considerable period of time because it is practically covered by the pool and is thus free from the elements that will wear away the effect of the pesticide like sun and rain.

Indoor pools are another set of problems altogether. In this case you cover the surrounding and adjoining areas to the pool. Unlike outdoor pools, indoor pools will tend to have more wooden components similar to a sauna or a kitchen. And there you have the primary elements for termite infestation - moisture and wood. It will be good to have surrounding areas of indoor pools treated and regularly checked for possible or existing termite infestation.

Other tips to keep your pool area termite-free

As we keep saying, prevention is better than cure. But if you failed in the prevention side, you can compensate with regular monitoring and inspection.

While you cannot avoid moisture and wetness in pool areas whether outdoors or indoors, there are other tips you can follow to at least minimize if not totally eradicate the risk of termite infestation and keep your pool area termite-free.

Cleanliness and sanitation is paramount. Make sure pool areas are always kept clean and free from debris or garbage, whether wooden, cellulose (as in paper and carton packs), food, even plastics. Where possible, avoid wood to ground contact but where it cannot be avoided; treat the wood and the ground with an appropriate substance.

Keep vegetation away from wooden structures or components. They tend to keep moisture trapped, making ready habitation for termites. Keep drainage systems free from debris so that water is not trapped. Pool gutters and wash areas should be regularly drained and cleaned. Where there are landscape areas that will tend to trap water, be on the lookout for water stagnation and inspect the area regularly. Better yet, have these areas treated with pesticides to keep away the termites.

Where infestation is suspected, and where treatment has been done before, fumigation may also help. This will be especially true for indoor pools with hard-to-reach sides or areas. For outdoor pool areas, trenching is sometimes done to form barriers in the perimeter. Thereupon, treatment must be thoroughly applied. Termite baiting can also be used in surrounding pool areas where termite colonies are suspected. These can be applied in between the pool structure and the suspected termite nest. Below and above ground baiting can work for both in-ground and above-ground pool structures.

There are also available in the market self-help kits with sprays and baits for home use. If you have been consistent in inspecting and monitoring for possible termite infestation, you can also use these kits. For suspected larger or more severe infestation, professional exterminators should be contacted.

Keep these preventive and corrective tips in mind to help keep your pool area termite-free and fun for the whole family.

Grant Eckert is a freelance writer who writes about issues pertaining to home maintenance including [http://www.terminix.com/] Pest Control | Exterminator