La Nina’s rainfall has created highly favourable conditions for termite infestation. High soil moisture levels, coupled with increased wood and mud, attract these destructive pests.
Termite swarming is a natural part of their reproductive cycle. Winged reproductive adults (known as swarmers) emerge from mature colonies when environmental conditions are favorable for their growth and spread. For more information, check out Columbia MO Pest Control.
Spring
Termites are known for wreaking havoc with homes, costing homeowners an estimated $5 billion per year. But if you have never seen them for yourself, they can seem unthreatening and almost ant-like in appearance. This is why it is so important to know the signs that termites are nearby, so you can take action right away.
One of the most common telltale signs is a flurry of wings flying near windows, doors, and vents. This flurry of wings is called a termite swarm and it signals the presence of a new termite colony nearby. These swarmers are the reproductive members of the colony, and they are looking for mates and locations to start new colonies.
The exact timing of the termite swarming season can vary by region and species, but in general, it occurs when the weather warms up and moisture levels rise after a rainstorm. This is especially true for subterranean species like eastern and dark southern, which typically swarm in the spring.
Once the swarmers find a suitable location to establish their colony, they will shed their wings and settle down into the soil or wood to lay eggs. These eggs will then hatch into worker and soldier termites, who are responsible for feeding the queen and protecting her offspring. The swarmers will also produce more swarmers, which will fly off in search of mates and locations to create new colonies.
While a swarm of winged termites may look harmless, they are in fact a sign of a potentially serious problem with your home’s wooden structures. Termites eat wood, which can lead to structural damage and costly repairs if left unchecked. So if you see a swarm of winged termites, it is important to act fast and contact your local pest control professional.
When you do, you can rest assured knowing that the team of experts at your local Terminix branch is ready to provide quality pest control services. Our experienced technicians will identify and treat the source of your termite infestation, helping to protect your home from expensive and destructive damages.
Summer
When the weather is warmer, swarmers are more active. Swarmers are male and female winged termites that pair up, shed their wings, and begin searching for a new colony to start. If conditions are right, a single swarm may continue for several days or a few weeks. The number of swarmers will vary depending on the size of the original termite colony.
While swarmers don’t have the ability to infest homes, they can leave behind discarded wings on windowsills, in light fixtures, or on the ground. If these discarded wings show up in your home, it’s a good idea to call for a termite inspection right away.
Termites are active all year, but if there’s excess moisture in the soil around your home, it can create ideal conditions for them to thrive. That’s why it’s important to take steps to protect your home from termites all year round.
Reduce Moisture and Wood Contact
Whenever possible, keep your yard clear of piles of wood and other debris. If you have piles of lumber left over from a project, stacked logs, or firewood, keep them well away from your house and other structures. Clean gutters regularly, and make sure downspouts and splash blocks are directing water away from your home’s foundation. Remove rotting or dead trees, stumps, and other plant materials.
Check for cracks in your foundation, walls, and roof, and seal them as needed. Eliminate any sources of moisture inside your home, including leaky pipes, and repair damage. Make sure your attic and crawl spaces are ventilated, to prevent excess moisture buildup.
Fall
While most of us welcome the return of spring flowers, new buds and leaves on trees, the arrival of termite season isn’t as well-received. This wood-destroying pest isn’t just annoying – it’s a serious threat that can destroy homes and buildings, costing property owners thousands in repair bills.
Unlike other wood-destroying organisms (WDOs), which only chew through wood for shelter or tunnels, termites consume it to get the nutrients they need to survive. This is why subterranean termites are such a serious problem for homeowners, business owners and farmers. When a termite colony is exposed to dry wood, it will rapidly disperse and seek out new locations to occupy. Termites are also constantly on the move, which makes it difficult to tell when a termite infestation is occurring until it’s too late.
There are many different species of termites that inhabit the U.S., and each one behaves differently. Some are more active in certain seasons, while others are more prone to attacks at specific times of the year. For example, dampwood and drywood termites are more active in the summer, while subterranean and formosan termites tend to be more prevalent in the fall.
Because of this, it’s important for property owners to understand the unique behavior of the various termite species in their area. Knowing when they are likely to be more active can help property owners take preventative action to protect their homes and other structures.
Swarming is when termite colonies produce winged, reproductive adults that fly away to find new nesting sites. This typically occurs during the daytime, and it’s most common on warm days following rainstorms. Swarming is a great way for termites to disperse and establish new colonies that are geographically separate from existing ones, but it’s also nature’s way of reminding you that termites are nearby.
Property owners can watch for signs of termite activity throughout the season by keeping an eye out for mud tubes, swarms of flying insects and any wooden structure that’s hollow or buckling. In addition, property owners can help prevent termite damage by keeping wood products like firewood, mulch and wood piles away from their homes. Having them nearby is like putting out an all-you-can-eat buffet for these destructive pests.
Winter
The winter season can be a good time to check on home termite protections. Unlike other pests, however, termites do not go dormant in winter. Instead, the colder weather forces them to find shelter indoors, which could include a home. That’s why it’s important to understand the different seasons of termite activity and take steps to protect your home.
According to the National Pest Management Association, homeowners should be aware of the different signs of termite infestation during each season. In addition to the mud tubes and sawdust that termites leave behind, you should look out for damaged wood in your basement, crawl space and foundation. You should also watch out for signs of moisture, including patches of wet wood and puddles on floors.
Termites are attracted to moist areas, so you can help prevent them by keeping wood piles away from structures, repairing leaky gutters and downspouts and dehumidifying your house. You should also monitor soil conditions. If the ground is too dry, it can delay termite swarming.
Another seasonal factor that may affect termite swarming is warm weather. This past year, many parts of the country experienced warmer temperatures and above-average moisture. This allowed carpenter bees, stink bugs and other flying pests to swarm earlier than usual. In fact, the warm winter in Omaha led to a more rapid start of termite season this spring.
The spring swarming of termites occurs when a mature colony of these insects is ready to expand and search for new food sources. When swarming begins, alates (winged adult termites) can be seen hovering around light fixtures, wall cracks and other potential entry points to the home. The wings soon fall off, signaling that the termites are mating and establishing new colonies.
Subterranean termites, which live underground and create mud tubes to move about, tend to swarm in the spring and summer. The swarming of drywood termites, which have more advanced wood-consuming skills, occurs at dusk or night and is often accompanied by a mild fragrance. The swarming of both types of termites can occur all year long, depending on the weather and other environmental factors.