Everything You Need To Know About Termite “Swarmers” & How To Protect Your Home From Them
Termites are capable of eating six inches of a standard 2×4 piece of wood in just five months. Of course, that’s a standard-size colony. If you have a larger colony or more than one they could eat considerably more.
Termites don’t eat one section of wood, they bore through lots of different pieces. The result is damaged wood throughout your home and potential structural issues. That’s not a desirable outcome. If you see any sign of termites at your home you need to be looking for expert help, check out pest control near me to get you started.
Understanding Termite Swarmers
Termites live in a colony and each member of the colony has its own role. These all centre around the survival of the colony. Some collect food, while others are destined to mate and start new colonies.
The fertile termites leave the nest toward the end of spring. These are the only termites to have wings and they lose their wings as soon as they have mated.
The wings allow them to find a mate, fertilize their eggs, and start a new colony. But, despite the ability to fly, termites don’t tend to move far from the original colony. Hence the reason you can have more than one colony in your home.
A clear sign that you have a termite colony, either starting or established, is when you find discarded wings. This means the termites have mated and are starting to set up homes. It is definitely time to find out more info about your local pest control experts.
Deterring Termite Swarmers
Many people mistake termite swarmers with flying ants because the two look very similar. However, they are different and the main thing you are interested in is how to stop them from entering your home.
Turn Off Outside Lights
Termites are attracted to light. Therefore, during the end of the spring, around late April, it is best to avoid using your outside lights. This will reduce the attractiveness of your home to these pests.
Minimize Moisture
Termites need moisture to survive. It’s the reason they love foundations so much because they can move through the moist soil and eat wood.
Check your house for leaks and other unnecessary areas of moisture. The lower the moisture level at your property the less appealing it will be to termites.
Keep Wood Off The Ground
Termites need moisture but they also need wood to survive as this is the main part of their diet. But, termites are generally more attracted to damp wood.
Therefore, make your house less appealing by ensuring no wood pieces are touching the ground. This makes it harder for the termites to access the wood and it is less likely to be damp.
Seal Gaps
Termites generally come in through mud tunnels around the edge of your home. Add a six-inch-wide layer of concrete around your home and you’ll make it much harder for them. You should also seal all gaps in your walls, this will keep termites and other pests out.
