It is hard to explain what emotions come over a person when they find out their home is being eaten by termites. How would you handle the news? Would it fill you with anger? Would you be shocked? Most people don’t know how to feel. As we head towards summer here in Mobile, more and more homeowners will be finding out their home is infested with these destructive pests. How will they be able to tell? Because termites will be taking to the skies. To learn out more about the termites flying around Mobile, and what their presence means for your home, here’s a bit of information you should know.
Termite Swarmers
The majority of termites are flightless, spending the entirety of their lives underground or deep inside structural wood. It is only when a colony of termites becomes fully mature that reproductives create swarmers. These flying wood eaters are tasked with two jobs: scouting out areas that are habitable enough for a new nest, and beginning reproduction as soon as a spot is found.
How Many Termite Colonies Can A Property Have?
Unlike other insects that fight over territory, it is not uncommon for several termite colonies to work together gathering a single source of wood. If your home provides these destructive pests with an ample amount of wood to eat, swarmers will be likely to create several subcolonies around your property, which in turn compounds how fast these pests can damage your home’s structure.
When Do Termites Swarm?
Eastern subterranean termites, the most common species in our area, swarm during daylight hours between February and May. This may change depending on the weather. If winter is particularly warm, you will see swarmers earlier. The adverse is true for colder winters.
What Seeing Swarmers Around Your Property Means
The presence of termite swarmers around your Mobile property says a lot about your home’s current risk. If you see these flying pests buzzing around outdoors, it is fair to assume there is a fully mature colony within a mile of your property. This doesn’t mean your home is under attack, just that it is being considered as a potential meal. Finding a large number of swarmers indoors, however, is a clear sign that your home is currently under attack.
How To Make Your Property Less Hospitable To Termites
As termites buzz around homes this spring, what will determine if your home gets infested or not? To reduce your chances of swarmers choosing your home as their new food source, here are a few prevention tips we recommend:
- Use a caulking gun to fill holes in your home’s exterior foundation.
- Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and your home’s structural wood.
- Avoid using wood-based mulch around your home’s exterior.
- Store firewood and untreated lumber at least 30 feet from your home and in a place that is sheltered from the rain.
- Replace any water-damaged structural wood around your home.
- Eliminate sources of water damage around your property.
- Keep your yard clean of organic debris.
For more help protecting your home against swarmers or to have your property inspected for a termite infestation, contact the experts at Prewett Pest Control. Our team of licensed pest professionals have the advanced treatments needed to eliminate termites and would be happy to put our experience to use around your Mobile property.