When most people think of termites, they don't think of wings. Yet, termites do grow wings and take the sky once a year when they leave their nests to mate and set up new colonies. The following can help you handle a termite swarm on your property.
Where Do the Swarms Originate?
Termite swarms can originate from an infested building or from your yard. If you have a swarm inside your home, you can be assured that you have a termite infestation that requires immediate treatment. Outdoor swarms are more likely to originate from subterranean colonies in your soil or in dead and decaying wood on your property. In some cases, the swarm could originate from a neighbor's property. Unless you are sure of the origination point, it's a good idea to have your home checked to make sure it isn't already plagued by termites.
How Can You Verify Termite Identification?
Flying termites look just like non-flaying termites, but with wings. When they swarm, there will be hundreds of them present. Following the swarm, the termites may seem to disappear but they have simply mated and retreated back to your yard or into the walls of your home. There will be piles of shed termite wings laying around following the swarm. Collect some of the flying insects inside a jar and contact an exterminator so you can get a verification of termite identification from a professional.
What Steps Must You Take Immediately?
If you notice a termite swarm outside of your home, the first thing to do is to turn off all exterior lights. Just like most flying insects, termite swarms are attracted to lights, and leaving them on only attracts the swarm to your home. Keep windows and doors closed to minimize the chances of the swarm making their way inside. Outdoors, all entrance points into your home must be sealed. This includes cracks in your siding, unprotected soffit vents, and any other holes or cracks. Finally, contact an exterminator for a full termite inspection and treatment.
Are There Treatment Options Available?
The method of treatment depends on the initial source of the swarm. If the source is in your yard, then you will need to have a soil treatment applied to the yard and around the perimeter of your home. If the source is inside your home, you will need to have an internal treatment, which may involve temporarily leaving your home so it can be tented and treated. For swarms that originate outside of your property, an exterior treatment to prevent termites from gaining access to your home is necessary.
Contact an exterminator and learn more about their flying termite removal services.
Having pests in your home is more than just annoying. Many of the common pests that invade homes are actually dangerous. Rats can bite young children, spreading serious diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella. Cockroaches can spread E. coli, and many people are allergic to proteins in their bodies. Regardless of which pest is bothering you, it is important to get rid of it as soon as possible. Pest control companies can do a lot of this work, but it is also important to be informed. After all, you are the one who lives in your home and needs to take preventative measures against pests every day. Learn the basics here on this blog, and put them to use.