Many people know that termites are incredibly small insects that can resemble ants. While you might be aware that termites are destructive, you may not know that some termites are able to fly. If you see any of these flying termites around your home, Guardian Exterminating Company knows just what you need to do. Our Somerset pest control technicians have been locally trained and know the best way to handle the termites in this area.
What Are Flying Termites?
Termite colonies are usually separated into three categories or castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives. Some of the reproductives, called alates, have wings and are able to fly short distances.
These termites get the nickname "swarmer termites" because they usually swarm during the spring and look for a new place to start a colony. Once the swarmers have mated, they discard their wings and start a new colony.
Does Seeing Flying Termites Mean Your Home Has Termites?
Some termite colonies can have more than 25,000 insects living together. A colony this size could have several hundred swarmers. Flying termites have little wings, and they are only able to fly a few hundred yards away. Sometimes, they can fly further if there is a strong breeze that carries them. Most of the time, however, swarmers will stay close to their original nest.
If you are seeing flying termites near your Somerset home, there is a good chance that you have a mature termite colony near your home. It also means that you could have several more colonies popping up around your property in the near future. If you see discarded termite wings around your home, it is almost certain that a new termite colony has recently been established in or near your home.
Factors That Attract Flying Termites To Your Home
When flying termites start to swarm around your home, they are looking for a place to start a colony. This means that they will want a place that is safe from predators and also offers a viable food and water source. Some of the things that could be attracting termite swarmers to your home include:
- Fallen tree limbs: Some types of termites, such as subterranean termites, like to eat rotting wood. If you have old wooden boards, fallen tree limbs, or other rotten wood sitting in your yard, you should remove it as soon as possible.
- Mulch: If you have mulch around your home, you could be attracting termites to your home. Mulch is not only made of wood pieces, but it is also great at creating moisture, which also attracts termites.
- Standing water around your home: You should check to make sure that your gutters are working properly and able to divert the water away from your home.
- Wood-to-soil contact: Subterranean termites rarely come out in the open. Direct contact between the soil and wood in your home allows them an easy pathway inside.
Subterranean termites love moist and soft soil. If you want to keep termites away from your home, try to find a way to keep your home's interior and exterior areas as dry as possible.
What To Do About Flying Termites Around Your Home
Don't let termites take over your Somerset home. If you are seeing flying termites around your property, you need to give us a call as soon as possible. At Guardian Exterminating Company, we have over 30 years of experience providing customized termite control. We will carefully assess the situation and come up with an elimination plan that is tailored to fit your specific needs. Call us today to schedule your inspection!
"Great guys, do a great job"
Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection