Many people understand that termites are unwanted guests on their properties, but few people know the specifics of how to spot an infestation or how to avoid one in the first place. The more you learn about termite swarmers in Tulsa, the better your chances are of avoiding a costly infestation.
Winged Wonders
Termite swarmers are different from worker termites in their appearance and their job requirements. Worker termites are only tasked with eating wood and transporting the nutrients back to the queen. On the other hand, swarmers have wings that allow them to fly away from a mature termite colony. These winged termites are in charge of recolonization, and you may see them swarming on a warm day following a rainstorm. But it is unlikely that you will see a swarm of termites since they only happen once or twice a year and they are only visible for about half an hour before they disappear below the soil again.
While termite season refers to the time of the year when termite swarmers are most active (the warmer months, especially June and July), worker termites are active the entire year. You might be at risk of a new infestation as summer begins, but homeowners who already have an existing infestation will incur damage year-round. That’s why termites cost United States’ home and business owners over $5 billion every year. And it is important to note that insurance rarely covers termite damage.
The problem is that worker termites are very difficult to notice. Swarmers may be more noticeable, but failure to recognize an infestation during the other parts of the year will result in costly damage. Most homeowners who don’t notice a termite infestation for 18 months or more typically rack up $3,000 or more in repair bills once they discover a problem. Fortunately, there are some signs you can look for other than swarmers to spot an infestation on your property. These include:
- Mud tubes on foundation walls usually in hidden, dark places
- Tightening around doors and windows
- Clicking noises in the walls
- Visible damage to exposed wood that touches the soil
Once you notice these signs, you need to call a professional pest control service immediately. Homeowners who attempt to eradicate termites on their own often miss portions of the infestation, allowing the damage to be ongoing.
Limiting Swarmer Attraction
Even though you won’t be able to get rid of a termite infestation on your own, there are some things you can do to limit your chances of incurring a new infestation in the first place. By understanding what will attract termites onto your property, you may be able to avoid creating an ideal termite location on your property.
The main thing that attracts termite swarmers is light and accessibility. Swarmers love to congregate around streetlights or the lights outside your house, so keeping these off as much as possible or using other lights to detract swarmers away from the house can help keep them away. However, since they’re not very good fliers, swarmers will almost always swarm near their originating nests.
Another way to avoid a termite nest on your property is to control moisture issues. Termites will spend their lives crawling around moist soil in search of rotting wood, so moisture buildup in the yard and in the home can create an ideal termite habitat. Use a dehumidifier in your basement and crawlspace to avoid wood rot and monitor your pipes carefully for leaks. You should also maintain the lawn regularly and employ a gutter and downspout system to expel rain runoff away from the sides of your house.
While these methods can help you avoid an infestation, they aren’t guaranteed prevention measures. Unfortunately, even getting all of these things right can still allow for a termite infestation. Sometimes, when you want guaranteed results, you have to trust the pros. The best form of termite protection comes from professional assistance: Montgomery Exterminating. Give us a call today to protect your home from termites for good.
