Cold Weather? (NAPSA)—Many homeowners are beginning to prepare their homes for the cold months ahead. Performing a few quick and easy maintenance chores around the house now could save time and money later, but many people overlook key steps in winterizing a home. Are you including the following? * Check the batteries in smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. * Inspect the chimney. * Make sure windows are sealed to prevent drafting. * Schedule a termite inspection. Wood beams, walls and floors make cozy spots for termites in the winter. If you don’t schedule a termite inspection, you could be at risk for termite infestation. Most homeowners do not realize that termites can silently eat away at their house throughout the winter months. A year-round problem, termites invade the homes of more than two million Americans every year at a cost of more than $2.5 billion in structural damage. Termites cause more damage each year than tornados, hurricanes, floods and fires combined. However, homeowners can reduce the chance of a termite infestation by following a few simple precautions, such as removing mulch and firewood from the foundation of the home. “By putting mulch,leaflitter or firewood stacks against the foundation of their homes, homeowners create a food source for termites and a ‘highway’ into their houses,” says Tony DeJesus of New England Pest Control in Providence, R.1. Limiting the supply of moisture to the foundation also helps to prevent termites. In addition, homeowners should remove all scrap wood, wooden debris and plant clippings when landscaping, and be mindful of how close shrubbery is to the home. Any wood source, including mulch, is an invitation for termitesto feast. There’s also a new tool, the Termite Risk Calculator, designed to help consumers determine their home’s risk for termite infestation with a fast and easy quiz, which is featured on the Termidor Termite Control Web site, @ Termites are among the mostdestructive insects in the world and cause more damage than tornados, hurricanes, floods, andfires combined. www.termidorhome.com. Whether winterizing, renovating, or buying a new home, pest management professionals (PMPs) emphasize the importance of scheduling a termite inspection. “While most people visit a doctor annually for a physical, many forget that their homes also need a regular check up,” said Steve Earl, co-owner of Lien Termite and Pest Control in Omaha, Neb. “Now is a good time for homeownersto schedule a termite inspection and make plans to winterize their homes for protection against other household pests.” Both DeJesus and Earl rely on Termidor termiticide/insecticide to treat homes with active termite infestations and to prevent termite invasions in homes before they occur. Unlike other treatments on the market, Termidor has been proven effective at providing 100 percent control of termites in three months or less, offering homeowners and PMPsalike a lasting solution to this persistent pest. “In the two years since we began using Termidor, we have not had a single callback to re-treat a house,” said DeJesus. “As a result of this high success rate, we have seen an increase in the number of customers whoare looking to Termidor to provide a superior level of termite control.” Only PMPs who have been trained by Bayer Environmental Science have authorization to use and purchase Termidor. Fora list of Termidor-certified pest management companies, homeowners cancall 1- 877-TERMIDOR,or visit the Web site at www.termidorhome.com.
