Swarming Termites

Swarming termites around your home do not necessarily prove that your house has been invaded by these wood devouring pests. However, if you see these tiny winged insects gathering in the light around windows or porch lamps, it is very possible that your house is infested. When you see swarming termites, look for additional signs of infestation, such as mud tubes along your foundations or hollowed areas in the grain of beams and other wooden structures.

Because of the extensive damage that termites can cause to the structural integrity of your dwelling, contacting a professional pest control or termite spray service is a wise choice. A reliable pest control company can perform an inspection to determine if your residence is truly infested. If you do have a termite colony on your property, or if termites have already invaded the wooden structures or furniture inside your home, a licensed insect controller can perform treatments to eliminate the intruders.

Significance of Swarming Termites

The termites that consume the wooden components of your walls, ceilings, floors, decks and porches often establish colonies in the soil outside your house before they invade your home. The damp soil under leaky faucets or wood piles is likely to be the site of an initial infestation. Termites are highly secretive pests, but you can identify likely sites for a colony by looking for moist patches of soil around your house.

Swarming is a phenomenon that occurs in the warmer months, usually from March to May, when reproductive members of the colony leave to start new colonies of their own. You may notice swarming termites gathering around a wood pile or a hollow tree near your home, or swarming around lighted areas at night. If you see these winged insects swarming out of your house itself -- typically, from under a porch or deck of from beneath the foundation -- this may be a clear sign of an infestation.

Although a homeowner may never actually see swarming termites, you may see evidence of their swarming activities in the form of tiny wings. Swarming termites shed their wings very shortly after acquiring them. You may find wings inside your home or outside the residence along the foundation of your house. Like the swarming termites themselves, wings inside your home are a danger sign. If you see discarded wings or swarming termites, contact a licensed professional for a quote on the cost of an inspection.

Many homeowners confuse swarming ants with winged termites. These insects are similar in size, but a termite has straight antennae, wings of equal size and no notable waist. While an ant has an indented waist, hinged antennae and wings of unequal lengths. Ants also swarm during the warm, moist months of Spring.

Scheduling an Inspection

A full termite infestation can take years to develop. Because these pests are very difficult for the layperson to detect, your house may have experienced significant damage by the time you've noticed the intruders or the signs they leave behind. Tiny wood pellets known as kick-out holes indicate that the insects have invaded beams or baseboards. Piles of white or black droppings along the floors are also signs of infestation. Buckling ceilings, walls or porches are late indications of severe damage by termites.

If you notice swarming or other any of the signs of an infestation, contact a professional team that is licensed by the agency that regulates pest control providers in your state. As you compare quotes from different providers on the cost of an inspection, inquire about the cost of treatment and the types of treatments that the company performs. Most companies utilize a combination of liquid termiticide and traps. However, some companies also use non toxic methods, like installing metal or sand barriers in the ground.

Many companies charge a fee for the inspection, but some providers will offer to perform this service for free with the expectation that you will hire them to eradicate the insects. Inspectors will thoroughly assess your house and the surrounding property for indications of a colony formation or an infestation. Many of the traces that these pests leave are too small or indistinct to be noted by the average homeowner, but trained professionals can identify them quickly. Inspectors can also evaluate the interior of your dwelling for signs of damage.

Qualified contractors know that swarming termites around your residence are an almost sure sign that the insects have entered your house. When you're searching for a pest control team, look for a company that has a solid reputation in your community and a long history in the area. Pest control technicians should be highly trained and experienced. Because these infestations can take a long time to occur, taking the time to find a qualified team is well worth the effort.