Will your home survive the termite swarm?
Photo credit: Mullica via Visualhunt.com / CC BY
Here in Southern California, it’s hot; it’s sticky. It’s also swarming season for Drywood termites.
As you’re busy keeping cool, termites are gearing up for expansion. Colonies are reaching capacity and are now on the hunt for new lumber on which to lay their eggs.
Now, if you see termites buzzing around your home, that means you’ve got a mature colony that is ready to take things to the next level and creates additional sub-colonies.
The bad news—flying termites, can spell big trouble for your home—laying waste to structures from the inside out. And that’s before the new babies are born.
To keep your home safe from infestation, consider these facts about swarming season.
The Lowdown—Swarmer Basics
As we’ve mentioned, when a termite colony becomes overcrowded, the colony sends out a group of adult termites known as swarmers.
Swarmers are part of the alate class of termites, adults who have the ability to sprout wings and scout new homes for the colony. When they find a suitable home, the swarmers will lay eggs into newly exposed wood—giving baby termites plenty of cellulose to chomp on when they hatch.
As they leave the nest in search of a new home—you may see some termites in route to their new destinations.
Now, simply seeing swarmers doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, but It does mean there may be one nearby.
And chances are, if your neighbors have termites, they may soon be coming for any exposed wood—decks, foundations and more.
A Few Tips for Staying Safe During Swarming Season
The swarming season runs from August through December—and, depending on the size of the colony, swarming may happen more than once during this time frame. Here are a few tips to keep your home safe from winged invaders.
Cut off Their Supply
The termite diet consists primarily of cellulose found in wood. Meaning, any wood you’ve got lying around your house, the more enticing your home will be.
During swarming season especially—swarmers are on the hunt for exposed wood—so everything from mulch, firewood, untreated decks or twigs and stumps lying around—all present ample room to house a new colony.
Go for a cleaner look and ditch any extraneous wood, as well as any bushes or brush — your yard will look better, too.
Get Rid of Extra Moisture
We all need water—even termites. Make sure your gutters are in good shape, pipes aren’t leaking, and downspouts are working. Excess moisture, combined with plenty of cellulose create the perfect storm when it comes to infestation.
Keep water away from your home’s foundation, and you’ll be ahead of the swarming curve.
Treat Soil Before Any Major Home Projects
When building a new deck or another add-on, many homeowners forget to treat the soil for termites. While it may increase costs in the short term, skipping preventative treatment may lead to more expenses down the road.
Know When it’s Time to Call for Help
Look, termites can mean serious trouble for your home, and may cause unseen damage most people aren’t equipped to deal with on their own. While you may not know if you have an infestation or are the victim of a termite wood-binge, it’s a good idea to get things checked out.
Keep your home safe from infestation, contact Best Rate Repair at 855.440.6288 for a free inspection. Whether you need to rebuild your deck or better bolster your home against infestation—rest assured, swarming season has nothing on us.
