The building should be positioned so that the soil grade slopes away from the structure in all directions. The building site should be clean and all wood materials removed promptly. All brush and stumps should be cleared away. He recommended a pre-treatment of the house to repel and kill termites. Houses already built may need remedial grading or installation of drain lines to keep moisture away.
Landscaping also can be an attractant to termites.
Shrubs and flowers should not be planted close to the house. Also, Gold recommended avoiding mulch that contains cellulose, or wood.