What Termite Season Means For Lakewood Ranch Homes

It’s termite season! Let’s be honest though, every day of every month is termite season. Termites are one of the few species on earth that never sleep. They eat 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, ravaging homes from the inside out. They can live in colonies near, or in, our homes, often going undetected for months or even years. When we talk about “termite season” we are talking about swarming. Termites swarm in late winter and early spring. Eastern subterranean termites swarm between February and March. Drywood termites tend to be a little later, between May and June. Often, swarmers are the first and only warning sign homeowners have of a termite infestation.

Spotting Swarmers

Termites travel from under the ground into the wood of a house and are seldom found in the open. The likelihood of discovering an infestation is incredibly small. Yet, as the population grows, the rate of damage accelerates. Termite colonies weaken the structural integrity of homes and can create hazardous living conditions.
 
The most visible sign of a termite infestation is swarmers. Swarming occurs when an established colony reaches a certain size and is searching for a new food source and/or breeding grounds. Swarming termites squeeze through cracks and crevices to get into the open. They follow the light and are found near windows or artificial light sources. Swarming termites are the only members of the species that are found in the open. Even these members of a colony are only in the open while actively swarming, which only lasts about half an hour. This is why the wings they shed and leave behind are often the only evidence of a nearby infestation.
 
Swarming termites are usually dark brown or black and ⅜ to ½ of an inch long. They have two pairs of translucent wings of equal length, twice as long as their body. These wings break off during swarming. While no damage is caused by winged forms of termites, these insects (and their wings) are a sure sign that termites are at work nearby.\

Termite Prevention

If you spot swarmers near (but not inside) your home, it’s time to act fast. In the US alone, these pests create billions of dollars a year in property damage. This damage is usually deemed preventable and therefore goes uncovered by most homeowner’s insurance policies. Avoiding an infestation before it begins is always the best bet. To make your home less appealing to termites, try the following strategies.

• Remove all wooden debris from the vicinity of the building.
• Replace wooden posts, steps, and trellises that contact soil with non-cellulose materials or pressure-treated wood.
• Replace damaged timbers.
• Ensure adequate drainage in basements, cellars, and crawl spaces.
• Fill visible cracks in foundations with concrete or caulking.
• Reduce soil moisture near buildings by redirecting runoff.

Best Protection Call Keller’s Pest Control

If swarmers (or their discarded wings) are found in or around your home, don’t wait for the damage to get out of hand. Contact the professionals at Keller’s Pest Control at the first sign of termite activity. Our licensed termite control professionals have been resolving pest problems in Manatee County and other southwest Florida areas for over 20 years. We offer good, old-fashioned customer service with effective treatment options. Our pest control technicians in Lakewood Ranch can identify infestations that many people would overlook. With a careful inspection, we will locate termite colonies, determine the extent of damage, and create a plan for elimination. Call today for a free estimate and guaranteed solutions.