Termites in Massachusetts and New England Properties

By: Mary Steeb, CISR, CPIW

Mary loves to explain insurance in terms that her customers can understand so that they can make informed decisions about their coverage.

termites in MassachusettsFor Massachusetts homeowners and business owners, the spring season ushers in a familiar list of chores: spring cleaning, landscaping, lawn care, painting, etc. But there’s one item all too often missing from this list, and it could be costing you more money with each passing day…

That’s why this week –March 7 to March 13, 2021— is Termite Awareness Week. It’s a time when the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) wants property owners to focus on preventative maintenance, because it also happens to be the time of year when “swarmers” emerge to establish new termite colonies in vulnerable areas. Is your home or business a target?

Before you ask yourself, “do we really need a week of observance dedicated to termites?” consider the following facts:

  • Depending on the type and size of the colony, termites can consume up to one pound of wood daily.
  • Termite damage can eventually cause ceilings and floors to collapse.
  • Termites cost U.S. property owners more than $5 billion every year in damage repair and pest control.
  • More often than not, MA home insurance and commercial property insurance exclude termite infestations—meaning, if you don’t practice careful maintenance, you’ll have to pay for a solution all on your own.

There are dozens of helpful websites that explain where termites in Massachusetts come from, and how to identify a termite problem. (They also include some gorgeous images of the little critters at work.) Although we won’t get into those topics here, we have curated some of the major termite prevention tips below.

Termite Prevention Tips

  • Store firewood on a platform that elevates wood from the ground, and keep the pile away from the exterior of your house.
  • If you maintain mulch beds, leave a gap between the mulch and your home’s foundation.
  • Keep your shrubs and trees pruned to avoid direct contact with your home’s siding.
  • Cover the soil in your home’s crawlspaces with plastic sheeting.
  • Repair leaks and cracks around your house (foundations, gutters, roofing) that can create damp, humid conditions.

If you suspect you already have an infestation, or to identify any vulnerable areas around your home or business, contact a pest control professional. By identifying problems early, you can prevent severe structural damage to your home or business.

Ask the right questions before choosing a MA commercial insurance agent.
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