Are you ready for termite season? If you’re like most folks, the last thing you want to think about is termite swarms appearing on your property. Between your busy professional and personal life, you don’t have time to constantly monitor your yard for signs of pests. But unlike other pests, termites pose a real danger to property and your wallet. If you know the signs of an infestation, you can prevent severe damage before it’s too late.
To keep your property safe, you’ve got to keep an eye out for termites. So if you’ve seen termite swarms in Nassau County, here’s everything you need to know.
About Termite Season
Every so often, large termite colonies will send out specialized reproductive termites (called alates) to establish new colonies. These winged termites are commonly known as “swarmers” because of their propensity to form swarms as they search for mates. Swarmers are the first sign of termite season and appear at the onset of warmer weather after the winter months. Depending on the species, they can appear as early as March or as late as November. They can be found swarming indoors and outdoors both day and night.
However, in warmer climates, termite season doesn’t have a hard beginning and end dates. In fact, if the weather is warm enough, termites can thrive all year long.
What To Know About Termite Swarms
Termites are the most destructive of all household pests, bar none. While rodents like mice and rats can cause structural damage, it’s nothing compared to a full-fledged termite infestation. If you notice a termite swarm on your property, it’s the first sign of a potentially major problem.
Swarming termites indicate that there is at least one established colony in the area. Finding a swarm of termites could mean that a termite infestation has grown to maturity on your property and disperses new reproductive termites to form more colonies.
You can usually identify the type of termite inhabiting your property based on the behavior of the swarmers. Drywood termites prefer to swarm around dusk and are attracted to light. You can find them congregating around outdoor lights and on windowsills. Subterranean termites are known to swarm indoors and can be seen during the day.
Protecting Your Property From Termite Swarms
If you notice termites swarming on your property, there are steps you can take to protect your property and discourage swarms from forming:
- Turn off the lights – Drywood termite swarms are attracted to light and will be drawn to your outdoor light sources. Try to keep outdoor lights off as much as possible.
- Minimize moisture – Make sure that there is no moisture accumulating around the foundation of your property. Check for any leaky fixtures and ensure that gutters and drains are flowing properly.
- Use less cellulose – Keep the materials that termites feed on to a minimum on your property. Use cellulose-free mulch, keep woodpiles away from the building, and make sure that wooden sections of the property aren’t making direct contact with soil.
- Try a dehumidifier – Installing a dehumidifier can make your property less attractive to termites and other common pests.
- Create a barrier – Establishing a barrier of gravel around the perimeter of your home or business can reduce the likelihood of termites entering your property.
For total solutions to your termite problems in Nassau County, contact experts at Parkway Pest Services. Using the state-of-the-art Sentricon® Termite Colony Elimination System, we will eliminate the termites you have and prevent swarmers from establishing new colonies. Get in touch with us today for your free quote.