Termite Swarm Video – Scroll Down
Currently we are experience a little something I like to call “Termites, termites, termites!” Honestly, we can hardly keep up with the number of calls, which is of course always a good news / bad news situation. This is prime termite swarming season so we want everybody to be aware of what to look out for. We’ve talked about this before with carpenter ants specifically, but swarming termites are also making appearances in many homes around Texas. Seeing a swarm in or near your home could indicate that there are termites present at your property.
Why Is This Happening?
In early Spring, colonies of subterranean termites that are healthy enough to produce reproductive members do so in preparation of their mating season. These “winged” members of the colony all take to the sky (or your living room) looking for suitable mates from other colonies that have also taken to the sky. They meet in the air, break off their wings, mate, then find a new home to start a colony. Certain conditions will trigger this annual event, and we’ve already received a bunch of calls to prove that it’s already happening this year. You can also spot a problem site if you see mud tubes coming from the ground into your home via your foundation, weep holes, plumbing lines, etc. Subterranean termites can be found throughout most of the country, but are heavily concentrated in the Southeast. It can be quite intimidating to witness one of their swarms as they could number in the thousands. Different species of termites, like Formosan termites, swarm later in the year and will swarm at night. Subterranean termites swarm during the day and the swarmers are essentially harmless, unless they find a mate and start a new colony…then you’re obviously talking about some potential damage. It’s estimated by the National Pest Management Association that termites cause over $5 billion in damages per year in the United States alone.
What Do I Do?
If you believe you’ve seen swarming termites around your house or other evidence, the best thing to do is call a pest management professional for an proper inspection. There are ways to identify termites and differentiate them from flying ants, but unless you’re experienced enough and confident in your identification skills, it’s best to leave it to a professional pest management company. If an infestation is found, typically the cost of an inspection will be backed out of any treatment costs that you may incur. The picture to the right shows an ant on the left and two termites on the right. You can see differences in their body shape, the color and shape of their wings, antenna, and more.
You can always call Venus Pest Company with any questions about swarming termites and termite control.
