How Bugs Can Damage Your Siding

Warm weather is finally here in Connecticut and many people are spending weekends maintaining their lawns and performing other maintenance projects. If you notice damage to your siding this time of year, understand that pests can pose a threat to this part of your house in spring.

What can you do to detract bugs and wildlife from your home’s siding?

Types of Pest Infestation

When spring arrives, so do the common warm weather pests: Ticks, mosquitoes, bees, ants – and boxelders. If you’re unfamiliar with boxelders, they are little red and black bugs that appear in clusters on plants and your home’s siding.

The presence of boxelders on your siding is not only a nuisance, but an invitation to enter your home for moisture. They sneak into the crevices of your exterior walls and leave behind stains on interior walls and furniture.

Termites are another common destroyer of siding. This group of insects feed on wood and plant matter. If enough damage is caused by these pests, you may need to completely replace your home siding.

Impact of Poor Siding

When siding experiences damage, it becomes more than an aesthetic issue. Over time, your home could lose value because the property is more vulnerable to the outside elements. What other effects does poor siding have on a home?

• Higher utility bills – When outside air sneaks in, the HVAC system has to work harder.
• Possible water damage – Cracks can leave the house exposed to precipitation.
• Presence of mold – When moisture accumulates, mold spores can grow and spread.

How to Prevent Damage

Boxelders are more common in the western part of the country, but they do show up in New England. To keep boxelders away from and out of your home:

• Remove any boxelder trees from your yard
• Use an insecticide on your non-edible plants
• Seal cracks around windows, doors and other entrances

At the first sign of termites, call an exterminator to rid the property of an infestation. The presence of termites puts the structural integrity of your entire home at risk.
 
Steve Czerwinski Inc. installs vinyl siding from CertainTeed in a variety of natural-looking stained colors. To get a free estimate for your home, contact us today!