It’s that time of year again! Not only are the daffodils and other spring flowers popping their head out of the ground, but so are the termites!
As soon as the weather gets warmer and the ground begins to heat, termites like to come out of their winter hiding places searching for food, water, a new place to colonize, and probably a mate. It’s the time of year when you can potentially see a swarm of termites, which is never a good sign, particularly for your home. Termites are possibly the most destructive insect globally, causing billions of dollars in damage to homes.
Luckily, you can take steps to protect your home from swarming termites while eliminating their potential to cost you an arm and a leg in repairs. Here are a few tips to ensure you survive the spring swarming season!
Know What to Look for
The first step to protecting your home is knowing the signs — one of those is the termite swarm. In Maryland, swarmers are most likely to happen inside from March to May. There may be a few dozen or hundreds at a time and may occur on several different days.
Instead, you’re more likely to see signs of a termite swarm than the actual swarm. That includes piles of discarded termite wings, which they often lose after they emerge. If they’ve invaded your home, you’re like to find wings around windowsills or on the ground near cracks or in spider webs.
You might also see small holes in your walls, particularly if you have drywall. These are called exit holes, and termites create them to be able to quickly and easily leave the colony.
Lastly, if termites have colonized your home, you’re likely to see the mud tubes they have constructed to reach their food source — often accompanied by soft spots in trim, baseboards, flooring, or the walls themselves.
What to Do if You See Signs of a Termite Swarm
Do not apply any chemicals to the area they are swarming from as it can hinder other treatment methods. Instead, use a vacuum to remove them. Although termite damage occurs over time, the longer you wait to address the issue, the more expensive it can be to fix any damage they’ve done.
At EcoCare Pest Management, we use the Sentricon Termite Baiting System. It’s one of the greenest and most sophisticated technologies for eliminating termites and protecting homes. We’re one of a select few pest control firms in the region authorized to use this scientifically-proven system.
You should also try to eliminate any excess moisture you find around your house, as that will likely attract termites because termites like to get into places that humans can’t, which often means installing moisture-removing structures or equipment, such as moisture barriers and drainage systems.
Think you might have a termite infestation
We’re here for you! Simply contact us to schedule an inspection today.