Swarms are never a good thing. Whether it’s rodents or wasps, when you picture a mess of swarming pests, it can make you feel a little sick. And termite swarms are no different. If you’ve noticed termite swarms in Omaha lately, your property could be at serious risk. These destructive pests can ruin your home or business, costing you thousands of dollars in the process. And it all starts with a termite swarm.
What To Know About Termite Swarms
Termite swarmers are winged reproductive termites that eventually become the kings and queens of new termite colonies. They gather by the dozens in sizable swarms as they attempt to mate. When the weather is right, swarmers fly from their home colony. This time of year is known as termite season.
Termite season begins in March at the first signs of warm weather. But depending on the species, termite swarmers can emerge in the later fall months as well. It’s important to remember that termites remain active all year long, consuming and growing. Once a colony reaches a significant size, the likelihood of termite swarmers increases.
Are Termite Swarms Bad?
The trouble with termite swarms is less about the swarmers themselves and more about where they came from. Termite swarmers are a sign of a nearby termite colony, one large enough to send out winged reproductives. So, if you spot termite swarmers on your property, it’s likely that you may already have an established termite colony chewing away at your home or business.
You can often determine the type of termite by the behavior of the swarmers. Subterranean termite swarmers appear indoors and during daylight hours. Drywood termites swarm outdoors around dusk and are attracted to sources of bright light, which is why they are often found on windowsills and around outdoor lights.
Termite swarmers should be taken seriously because they are the first sign of a termite problem. Either there is an existing termite colony nearby attempting to expand its domain, or there are new termites trying to make your home their own. Repairs for termite damage can cost thousands of dollars, and the sight of winged swarmers should be cause for alarm.
Prevention Tips For Termite Swarmers
Thankfully, there are things you can do to prevent termite swarmers from gathering on your property:
- Try some landscaping. Termites feed on cellulose-rich materials found in plants and trees. Remove or relocate any fallen trees, logs, or stumps on your property. Trim hedges and woody plants to keep them from making contact with your home or business. Consider switching to a cellulose-free mulch and move gardening beds away from your building.
- Turn off the lights. Simply shutting off outdoor lights during termite season can reduce the likelihood of swarmers congregating on your property. Invest in shades or blinds to prevent light from pouring out onto windowsills where drywood swarmers may gather.
- Reduce moisture. Termites thrive in high-moisture environments. Make sure there are no clogged drains or gutters causing water to accumulate in the soil around your property and that all excess water is drained properly. Fix leaking pipes or spigots that cause damp soil and consider installing a dehumidifier in your basement.
- Check for other termites. It’s never a bad idea to check your property for signs of termites. Look out for the presence of frass — or grainy wood-like termite droppings — as well as sagging drywall and hollow-sounding wood. An existing colony could be producing the swarmers you see.
If you’ve seen termite swarms in Omaha and need information or assistance, get in touch with Beeline Pest Control. Our termite control services will eliminate the termites you have at the source and keep nuisance swarmers from forming new colonies. Contact us today for your free quote.