Information You Need to Know About Termites This Spring
Termites can literally destroy your home. They cause damage to the structural wood, the inside of your walls, and even your wooden furniture. They multiply quickly and like warm climates to breed. So, if you live in the warmer part of the U.S., you need to inspect your home for termite infestation. If spotted early, these pests’ damage can be reduced and contained.
When should I expect termites?
The subterranean termites are the most common species of termites in the United States. They burrow in the wood or the soil most of the time, so their hiding places may not be easy to spot, especially if the colony is small and you are not sure what to look out for.
Termites quickly multiply when there is a plentiful source of food for them. They live in large colonies, but once the colony has grown too large, new swarms break out of their hiding places and fly in the air looking for new places to start new colonies. They usually like to swarm during the spring and summer months. You are most likely to spot them on a calm (little or no wind), warm day after a rainfall. That is the time you are most likely to see them.
Do termites come out in the spring?
Termites seek shelter and food inside your home’s foundations in the winter. The queen lays eggs, and the larvae are fed to grow into adult termites. Spring brings in warm days, and the spring rains add just the right amount of moisture for them to take flight and swarm, looking for places to start new colonies. However, swarming does not only happen in spring. It lasts throughout summer, and some species prefer autumn swarming.
You may think that termites start their colonies only when they swarm, but the actual swarming happens only once the colony is mature, which may take three to four years. During that time, the termites may live in your home, silently destroying it without you being aware.
That is why it is important to watch for common signs that termites have taken residence on your property and inspect your foundations at least once a year. In fact, to be sure, it is prudent to call in the experts to inspect your property so that any infestation can be identified and taken care of straight away.
Crist Termite & Pest Solutions, Inc. has been serving the Central Illinois area since 1950. They utilize the Sentricon Colony Elimination System as the solution to help keep your home free of termites. They also offer free inspections, so give them a call today!
Categorised in: Preventative Pest Control