Wood fences can be a beautiful piece to your property. It can bring that “curb appeal” look to your home. They can also attract termites which will then ruin that beautiful wood. Termites can do a lot of damage because they love getting into the wood and raising their families. There are ways to keep them away from your fence. We’ll go over ways you can protect your wood fence from being eaten.
What to look for?
A great way to start, is to check your fence regularly. Termites can work from the inside out so, look for bubbles or holes in the wood. You should pay more attention to termite droppings as well. They look like sawdust or sand but they are actually piles of pellets. So, if you see what may look like sawdust and you haven’t been sawing anything, I would look into it a lot further. Mud tubes are additionally a sign that you might have termites. They are found near the base of your fence and may stick to the surface. Termites use the mud tubes as tunnels to move around inside your wooden fence.
Termites are always looking for ways to get into wood. They can climb from branches of plants and shrubs to get in. Clearing away any plant life and placing your wood fence in a dry area of your property will keep them from reaching the wood. However, you can have flowers since they are able to attract predators like birds that eat termites. Termites like soft, wet wood, therefore if you can keep your wood fence dry, it will help keep them away. In the fall keep the falling leaves from your fence, as they can make a pile of leaves their temporary home. If you don’t want to have termite repellant plants around your property, clean the area around your wood fence to allow the most amount of sunlight. Sunlight and again dry areas are termite proof.
What do termites hate the most?
An excellent way to keep termites from eating away at your fence is to use termite proof wood. Yes, there are some types of wood that termites don’t like. These woods are redwood, yellow cedar, walnut, teak, mahogany, and tallowwood.
You can also use termite repellant paint or an oil-based stain. The stain will give the fence a more natural look as well as preventing termites. Painting your fence can prevent them from eating it since they don’t eat paint. However, they may be able to get into a painted fence if the paint is worn-off or not done very well. For added protection, you can use an oil-based primer, as primer helps make paint more durable.
Chemicals to prevent termites
The best chemical spray to not only prevent termites but also does not ruin your wood fence is Bora-Care. It is a wood preservative used to prevent and control termite infestations. It can be used on any type of wood, whether it’s painted or not. Once absorbed deep into the wood, Bora-Care will stay on for a lifetime as long as it’s coated and sealed.
How to spray paint your fence
- Prepare your fence for paint. Cover any areas you don’t want paint on, like outdoor furniture, pots for plants, and any vegetation. Wear clothing to protect your skin and a protective mask so you don’t breathe in the fumes. Don’t forget to wear gloves because the paint will get all over your hands.
2. Clean and check your fence. Make sure there aren’t already termites in your wood fence. Patch up any nail holes, cracks, etc. and remove loose screws or nails. Clean your fence by washing with a good fence cleaner.
3. Primer coating. A primer coat will help the stain stick to the fence and help it become more durable. It may take longer to dry once applied but it will ensure that everything is covered.
4. Painting your fence. You can purchase an anti-termite paint to make sure you prevent them from entering. Additionally, you can use a paint sprayer or a simple brush, it’s up to you. If you are using a paint gun or sprayer, make sure you are six inches to a foot away from the fence. If your wooden fence is horizontal, spray up and down. If your fence is vertical, spray back and forth. Try not to arc or curve when spraying, you could miss some areas if you do. In addition, you might want to have a brush handy. Just in case you miss an area or over paint and have drips.
5. Letting it dry. Depending on how much paint you have used, it will in general take about 18 to 24 hours to dry. Make sure you have a sunny, dry day in that amount of time. Cold, wet weather, might affect the time of dryness and could ruin the work you put in. Don’t forget to clean your area and tools when you are finished.
If you have any further questions about termites and wood fences, contact the professionals at All Over Fence. Our office is located in Magna and we service anywhere in Utah.
