The most effective and economical time to implement termite prevention techniques is during the planning and construction process. Whether pre or post construction, limiting favorable food (wood), moisture and shelter conditions to termites can prevent or help eliminate infestations.

• Exterior wood should be at least 6 inches (15 cm) above ground level, and may require regarding or pulling soil or mulch back from the foundation to eliminate wood-to-ground contact.
• Timbers in crawlspaces should be at least 18 inches (46 cm) from the ground.
• Wood in door frames, stair carriages, wood posts etc., should be cut off at the bottom and be supported by a concrete base. If wood-to-soil contact is un avoidable, wood can be treated with a preservative.
• Wood, cardboard, paper or the other cellulose materials in the soil can attract termites to structure. These materials should not be buried in fills during the construction process.
• Do not use mulch and wood chips around foundation of house. Pea gravel or crushed stone may serve as a substitute for mulch or wood chips.
• Fire wood, landscape timbers, compost piles and other cellulose material should not be stacked close to structure.
• Dense vegetation should not be allowed to grow against the siding and foundation of a building.
• Shrubs, vines and trellises make inspection difficult and can trap moisture, increasing conditions favorable for wood decay and termites.
• High moisture conditions around a structure can contribute to a termite infestation. In addition to reducing vegetation in contact with building, soil around structure should be sloped so that surface water drains away from the structure.
• Proper installation and maintenance of gutters, downspouts, and splash blocks and proper positioning of lawn sprinklers or irrigation systems to avoid pooling water will reduce soil saturation.
• High humidity in crawl spaces can also lead to problems. Plumbing or appliances leaks can lead to damp wood and soil conditions in this area, and areas of crawlspaces beneath potential trouble spot should be inspected and any leaks or problem repaired.
• In some climate or areas, soil conditions themselves may contribute to crawlspace humidity. Polyethylene sheeting can be placed over soil in a crawl space to reduce evaporation from the soil and condensation on structural timbers.
• Adequate ventilation can further reduce moisture problems. A vent area of 1 square foot (0.1 meter square) per 150 square feet (14 meter square) of crawl space area is required for most building codes.
• Plumbing leak can also lead to favorable termite conditions inside structure and may allow a colony to survive above ground with no soil contact.
• Roof leaks or inadequate drainage can be also cause this problem. Water leaking into wood areas below the roof or standing water on the roof surface potentially lead to wood decay or other moisture problems that can be conducive to termite infestation. Special attention should be given to flat or low-pitched roofs where drainage problem may be more frequent.
• Attached planter boxes also bring soil in close proximity to structural timbers and should be separated from the foundation by at least 3 inches (8 cm).
• Use of termite resistant woods may be another non chemical alternative for subterranean termite prevention. California red wood, red cypress and red and yellow cedar have all been shown to have some level of resistance.