Homeowners should be aware of the threat that swarms of termites in the yard can present, and should get a termite inspection done by professionals in Sacramento. To have peace of mind, keep these top five tips in mind for preventing termite swarms on your property.
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What Exactly are Termite "Swarmers"?
Swarmers are termites with a specific purpose: to reproduce and start new colonies. Emerging during the swarming season, they have two large, pale wings and can easily be confused with flying ants.
Fortunately, unlike soldier or worker termites, swarmers do no damage to property. They will not bite or sting and have no interest in wood; their only intention is to mate and find new colonies.
What Causes Termite Swarmers to Form?
For homeowners, the presence of swarmer termites often signals existing disturbances from a termite colony near or inside the structure. By using the evidence of swarmers, termite treatment in Sacramento can more accurately determine the location and extent of the infestation.
It's very likely any swarmers you see outside your home are coming from a colony in or near the yard. Swarmers have limited airborne range, rarely traveling more than 300 feet away from their place of origin. Knowing this can help you determine whether or not there is an infestation nearby that needs to be addressed.
Swarmers inside your home are an indication that there may be a termite colony located on or under your residence. To confirm this, you should look for other signs of infestation, or contact a qualified Sacramento pest control to do an inspection.
At maturity, termites produce swarmers, but this can take up to 4 years. By the time these swarmer signs of an infestation are detected, considerable damage can already have been done to your home or property’s structure. It is important to be proactive and inspect for signs of termite activity regularly.
Effective Tips On Handling A Termite Swarm
Check To See If You Have Ants
If you think you may be dealing with a termite infestation, there are a few things to consider before deciding if it could be something else. Carpenter ants and termites can look similar from a distance, but they have distinct characteristics that make them easy to tell apart.
Ants have segmented bodies, elbowed antennae, and large forewings, while termites have wings of equal length, straight waists, and straight antennae. Additionally, flying ants keep their wings, so the presence of discarded wings is indicative of an infestation of termites rather than ants. As always, being proactive about identifying pest problems is your best defense against property damage.
Identify the Type
Identifying the type of termite invading a home is essential in order to develop an appropriate treatment strategy. Without proper identification, locating the source of a termite infestation can be more difficult. Two species are commonly encountered: subterranean and dry wood termites. Knowledge of these two species is key when trying to treat a potential problem.
Subterranean Termites: These are subterranean nest dwellers, aiding in their protection from dehydration. These termites build mud tubes to move from place to place, and can be seen along walls or foundations. The swarm period for these species tends to float between March and June, typically occurring during the daytime. It is important for homeowners to keep an eye out for signs of infestations when swarming so that necessary steps can be taken quickly.
Drywood Termites: These are a species of termite that commonly nest within wood structures. These invaders can be difficult to detect since they don't leave signs of their presence until damage has occurred. Unique to this breed, Drywood Termites swarm typically during the late summer and fall months, in contrast with Subterranean Termites which require increased levels of moisture to survive. Be sure to inspect any wooden surfaces you suspect may contain these termites in order to best prevent possible damage.
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