All too often, people see termite swarmers and don’t think anything of the flying insects. After all, they just look like ants flying through the air. Unfortunately, a large group of flying insects could be an ominous sign of termites. Known as swarmers, this group of insects could be bad news for you. Check out our guide to termite swarmers and learn what you should do to protect your property.
What Is A Termite Swarmer, And Should You Worry?
A termite swarmer is a group of termites that leave the original colony to reproduce and form a new colony. Only some of the termites in the colony have wings, and the termites in a swarmer lose their wings after they mate.
Once the termites set off in flight, they don’t usually travel far. They’re not known for being efficient fliers and often remain on the same property or head to a nearby property. After landing, swarmers don’t waste any time in building a large colony.
Typically, swarmers head out in the spring or summer. Termites tend to remain quiet during the winter, but the warm climate of San Antonio means they can be very active in the winter. For that reason, you should always be on the lookout for a termite swarmer. Termite season can happen at any time, but most people refer to the spring as termite season.
Does It Mean Anything?
If you see a termite swarmer, you can be certain that San Antonio termites are nearby. They might be on your property or a neighbor’s property, but seeing a swarmer is a sign that these pests could be a threat to your building.
For many property owners, seeing a swarmer is the first sign of a termite infestation. Unfortunately, it could be too late to protect your home or business. By the time you see a swarmer, you could have hundreds or thousands of dollars in termite damage.
While a termite swarmer isn’t a guarantee that you have termites, it’s worth looking into. You should contact a pest control professional at the first swarmer sighting. They can search for termite damage and other signs of an infestation. By acting quickly, you may save money on repairs.
Can You Prevent A Swarmer From Colonizing?
Keeping termites away on your own is harder than you might imagine. Termite prevention is challenging and best left to the experts. That said, there are some steps you can take to limit the likelihood of termites invading your property.
Reduce Moisture
If you don’t want termites to find your property appealing, you need to get rid of moisture. There are a few simple ways in which you can accomplish this. For one, repair all leaking fixtures. A leaky spigot could make your yard wet and soggy, which makes nearby wood wet as well.
Another way to reduce moisture is by fixing your drainage issues. If there is an area of poor drainage, do your best to fix it. You might need to hire someone to do the job, but doing so could save you from termites.
Limit Wood And Soil Contact
If your soil touches wood, subterranean termites could make their way into your wooden structures. Use concrete as a barrier, whenever possible. This alone won’t stop termites but may make your property less appealing.
Store Wood Away From Structures
Piles of firewood attract termites. Therefore, you can make your property less appealing to termites by storing firewood away from structures.
Call An Expert
The best form of termite protection comes from hiring a termite control professional. Here at Romney Pest Control, we want to save your home from termites. Give us a call to learn more.
