Termites are a major problem for homeowners in many parts of the United States; these destructive insects can quickly cause serious damage to a house and even destroy the structure if not dealt with in time. But a few simple building and siting techniques can go a long way toward minimizing the danger from these pests.
First, a wooden home needs to be built with a foundation of a solid, impervious, non-wooden material that keeps the wooden part of the structure off the ground. Second, the foundation and the intersection of foundation and house need to be completely sealed; an opening that can't even be seen by the naked eye can be big enough for a termite to pass through into the interior of the home. Third, the house shouldn't be sited near any known areas of standing water. And fourth, a specially built sand barrier around the house can act to block termites from coming close to the structure.
Most of these practices aren't more costly than conventional building techniques, and require only a little forethought and a consultation with a termite expert. Taking termites into account before you build your dream home can save a lot of expense, worry, and heartache.