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As the last of the snowstorms wind down in New York, it's time to turn our attention to termite season. Do you know whether or not your home is protected from termites? It's a question some people never think to ask themselves until it's too late! There are things you can do to prepare for termite season and reduce your risks for expensive termite damages.
The only species of termites living in New York is the eastern subterranean termite. When a termite colony becomes overcrowded, some of the termites will fly away looking for moist wood to start a new colony inside. Swarms in New York usually happen between March and June when it is warmer and usually after a rainstorm. If you should see termites or swarmers in your home, you need to get professional pest control immediately, as seeing the termites is usually a sign you have a colony in or very near your home. Termite colonies contain hundreds of thousands of termites. They eat through wooden structures, causing severe structural damage to the home or building. In areas like New York where Eastern subterranean termites exist, these pests cause millions of dollars in damage annually. It's estimated that one out of every five homes in New York has already experienced termites, or will at some point.
Termites find ways into our homes with little help from us, so the last thing we want to do is make it easy for them! Do the following to help prevent termites:
- Keep wood debris, mulch, sawdust, piles of firewood and other sources of lumber away from your home
- Keep piles of firewood raised off the ground
- Trim bushes, greenery, and shrubs away from your home's foundation
- Remove tree stumps
- Reduce moisture by repairing all leaking faucets and water lines, inside and out
- Keep gutters and drains free of leaves and other debris
- Grade land around the home so it slopes away from the foundations
- Seal cracks and holes in the foundation of your home
Parkway Pest Services has more than 100 years of combined experience providing pest control solutions and termite control to New York residents. We rely on the Sentricon® System with Always Active™ to eliminate termite colonies and for ongoing maintenance and prevention of future termite colonies. Give us a call if you think you've got termites on your property, or with any other pest concerns; we're always ready to help!