Termite Prevention Checklist: Simple Steps To Reduce Risk
You can’t control every termite in the soil—but you can make your home a harder target. This checklist is designed to be done once or twice a year in 20–30 minutes.
How To Use This Checklist
- Pick a calm day and walk the outside, inside, and any crawlspace / basement.
- Take notes or photos on your phone—no special tools required.
- If you have a termite bond or warranty, note any issues to share at your next inspection.
1. Moisture & Drainage
Termites love consistent moisture. Start by looking at how water moves around your home.
- Confirm gutters are attached and draining away from the foundation.
- Check downspouts—add extensions if water pools next to the house.
- Look for standing water in low spots near the foundation and plan to address grading if needed.
- Inspect around outdoor faucets and AC drain lines for constant dampness.
2. Wood-to-Soil Contact
Termites prefer hidden, direct paths from soil to wood. Reducing wood-to-soil contact helps make life harder for them.
- Check that siding, trim, or stucco does not sit directly in soil or mulch.
- Keep mulch levels a few inches below the bottom of siding where possible.
- Inspect deck posts, steps, and porch columns for soil contact or buried wood.
- Move firewood and lumber piles away from the house and off bare soil.
3. Exterior Foundation & Trim
Next, walk fully around the home slowly, focusing on the lower 2–3 feet.
- Look for mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, or exposed concrete.
- Check painted trim for peeling, blistering, or wood that feels soft when gently pressed.
- Note any cracks or gaps where utilities enter that might let moisture or pests in.
4. Indoors: Baseboards & Problem Areas
Inside, you’re mainly checking for soft wood, staining, or odd noises when tapping trim and baseboards.
- Lightly tap baseboards and door frames on exterior walls—note any hollow or papery sounds.
- Look for staining, bubbling paint, or warped trim in bathrooms, kitchens, and laundry rooms.
- Check around patio doors and sliders where water often sneaks in.
5. Crawlspace / Basement (If Applicable)
If you can safely access a crawlspace or basement, do a quick visual check. If not, this step can be left to pros.
- Look for mud tubes on foundation walls, piers, and sill plates.
- Note any wood that sits directly on soil or looks damp and darkened.
- Confirm vents are open and not blocked (unless you have a sealed system managed by a contractor).
6. If You Have a Termite Bond or Warranty
Prevention is part of keeping your warranty valid. A few quick steps:
- Keep records of your annual inspections and any retreatments.
- Notify the company if you remodel, add a porch, or change grading near the house.
- Review your paperwork once a year so you understand what’s covered and what isn’t.
Turning Notes into an Action List
After you walk through the checklist, make a short, prioritized list:
- High priority: standing water, clear mud tubes, very soft or hollow wood.
- Medium: mulch or soil high against siding, wood piles against the house.
- Low: minor caulking or paint touch-ups you can plan for later.
If you notice anything that looks like active termites, circle back to the Termite Signs & Damage guide and consider calling a pro.