How to Protect Your Fence from Termites and Pests

Your fence is your home’s first line of defense. But it’s not indestructible! 

Unfortunately, even tiny, silent invaders like termites can compromise the structural integrity of your fence. Several other pests and insects can join in and add to the problem even more.  Outdoor structures, such as fences, have moisture-rich environments, which attract pests and rodents. 

Plus, termites and carpenter ants love to destroy cellulose-rich wood fences, which can decay the material and also lead to a loss of the fence’s aesthetic appeal. All this can cause costly structural collapse, pests, and termite infestation in the outdoor space or inside your home, and reduce the curb appeal and value of your property. 

We know you wouldn’t want that! That’s why we’re here to take away your headache once and for all! Today, we’ll give you effective solutions to prevent termites and insects from harming your fence in the first place.

Common Termites that Can Destroy Your Fence

Being aware of your enemy is the first step towards protecting your own place! That’s why we will tell you which kind of termites can pose a threat to your fence, especially if you’re living in the dry climate of Northern Nevada.

• Subterranean Termites: These termites can be pretty hard to spot. They’ll build tunnels in your wooden fence to get to their food source, causing damage to the fence.
• Dampwood Termites: These termites like moisture and love to feed on the decaying wood in your fence. Also, they have larger bodies than other termites, but they are still difficult to detect as they rarely swarm.
• Drywood Termites: Your fence is a rich source of dry and hard cellulose, perfect for a nice feast for drywood termites. They can slowly but steadily damage your entire fence if you don’t get rid of them right away.

Pests That Can Attack Your Fence

Just like termites, other pests can also cause severe damage to your fence. Here are some of the pests you can find on your fence.

• Carpenter Ants: They won’t feed on your wooden fence, but make tunnels through it to build their nests. Before you know it, your fence’s structure will be damaged forever!
• Rodents: If you notice chew marks, nesting materials, and mouse or rat droppings near the fence, your fence is being silently destroyed by these rodents. They can gnaw through soft wood and can even get inside and infest your home!
• Beetles: Some species of beetles, such as powderpost beetles, can infest wood by laying eggs inside it and allowing their larvae to feed on the wood. This can cause total destruction of your fence.
• Bees & Wasps: Certain types of bees, like carpenter bees, can bore holes in your fence, causing damage to the structure. Also, horntail wasps can lay their eggs in wood, and their larvae will feed on the wood and can further harm the wooden structure of the fence.

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How To Prevent Termite and Pest Infestation On Your Fence?

To protect your fence from small, destructive creatures like pests and termites, follow our tips!

• Clear Plant Growth & Vegetation

Having trees and plants too close to your fence can invite pests, bugs, and termites. So, clear them out periodically. 

• Stain and Seal the Gaps in the Fence 

Termites and pests might like the fence in your outdoor area, but not the stain or sealant on it. So, use a protective stain or sealant to keep pests and termites from entering the fence through the gaps.

• Choose a Good-Quality Material 

Termites and pests might not be too picky about their food, but some fence materials can attract them easily. So, use good-quality materials for the fence. You can use wood like cedar, redwood, teak, or cypress, which are known to repel pests. You can also use composite wood fencing that contains less cellulose and is an ideal choice for termite prevention for fences.

• Prevent Standing Water in the Fence Area

Pests are easily drawn to moisture-rich spaces, and if your fence area has standing water or puddles, that’s where the pest problems will begin. So, keep the area dry, especially after it rains!

• Remove Debris in the Yard

Fallen leaves, dead plants, and other types of yard trash can be a breeding ground for pests like rodents, cockroaches, termites, ants, etc. So, always clear them at regular intervals and keep the area clean.

However, if it’s too late for your home’s fence and you’re already facing the problems of pests and termites, it’s time to call for professional fence repair in Carson City. They can use advanced tools and comply with all safety regulations to remove pests and termites from your fence for good.

Some Useful Fence Maintenance Tips That Every Homeowner Should Know!

When you invest in a fence for your home, you want it to remain in good condition for decades. Well, you’re not wrong to expect that, but to ensure its longevity, you must be vigilant about the fence’s condition and perform proper maintenance regularly. Here’s how you can maintain it!

• Regularly inspect for pests and termite damage. Look for signs like holes, gnaw marks, and sawdust-like droppings for pest damage. Also, for termite damage, look for bubbling wood, discarded termite wings, mud tubes, etc. If you find pests or termites, take immediate action to treat them.
• Clean the fence and wash it regularly. This can help keep the fence clear of debris and dirt and lessen the chance of termites and pests feeding on it. Ultimately, it’ll extend the lifespan of the fence. 
• Call for professional help for fence repair in Carson City when you come across a pest and termite infestation in your yard’s fence. Unlike DIY methods, professional help can yield better and longer-term outcomes, also preventing future pest and termite problems.

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Takeaway

For the ultimate protection of your home’s fence, keep the area clean and dry, cut the vegetation around it, seal the gaps, and use top-quality materials for the fence. Also, maintain the fence by regularly checking for pest and termite damage, cleaning the fence, and calling for professional help when needed. This way, you can prolong the longevity of the fence and keep it from severe damage.

Protect Your Fence and Keep It Looking Like New with Artistic Fence Co.

Artistic Fence Co. is the trusted fencing service in Reno, Winnemucca, Carson City, & Sparks, serving thousands of customers. Our family-owned, BBB-accredited company has been providing fence installation service in Carson City since 1963! 

We provide custom solutions and quality materials for all industrial, commercial, and residential properties. So, if you’re tackling the problem of pest and termite infestation in your yard’s fence, we’ll help you reach a solution that’s cost-effective and provides long-term benefits. 

Reach out to us today at (775) 786-6002.