The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, and unfortunately, the termites are swarming. Spring has sprung in Florida, and we are reaping all the benefits. But along with the wonderful parts of spring come some unfortunate downsides. All kinds of pests, including termites, thrive in warm weather, so the wintertime is a time of hibernation and dormancy. That’s why you see fewer pests when the weather is coldest. Then, once spring comes and temperatures rise, all the bugs come back to play.
Spring is the ideal time of year for termite swarms. After a termite colony has been active for several years, they send a swarm out to establish a new colony. If you’ve never seen a termite swarm before, they look exactly like you’d imagine – thousands of termites buzzing around looking for the next place to build a colony. Most homeowners don’t notice termite swarms, making it easy for the destructive pests to infiltrate their homes. We know the anxiety around termite infestations is all too real, but more important than recognizing a termite swarm in the air is identifying a termite infestation in your home.
Some Common Signs Of A Termite Infestation
Discarded wings: Once termites have swarmed and decided they’d like to stay awhile, they discard their wings. When you find long translucent termite wings discarded around your home, you are experiencing an infestation.
Termite droppings: Formally known as frass, termite droppings can often be found on windowsills and along the walls of your home. What looks like tiny balls of wood is a sign that something destructive is happening on the other side of your walls.
Stuck Windows And Doors: When termites eat their way through your wooden windows and doors, they create extra moisture, which can cause them to swell. When the windows and doors swell, they become harder to open. If you’re experiencing an issue like this, it’s worth calling a termite control professional to determine the severity of your problem.
Mud Tubes: One species of termite that is common in Florida is the subterranean termite. These pests access your home from the ground by building mud tubes that provide shelter as they make their way in and out of your home. If you find mud tubes on the exterior of your home, specifically around the foundation, you can be confident that there is, or has been at one point, had a termite colony living inside.
Eliminating Termites From Your Home
We could go on and on about the severity of damage that a single termite colony can exact on your family home. We have, in fact, and you can read many articles about the subject on our website. The more you know about the damage termites cause, the more you realize how essential it is to act quickly to eliminate them.
You can go to any home improvement store and find over-the-counter termite control products. However, those products are only as good as the expert who applies them. So, unless you’re a pest control professional, we urge you to hire someone who is. There are many termite control methods available to eliminate your home of termites. One of the most popular is called fumigation, or tenting, where a large tent is placed over your home, and gas is used to exterminate the bugs for good.
When you have an ongoing termite control service with a professional team, you can rest assured that no termite colony will enter your home without us knowing about it. The best termite prevention is being prepared with a team you can trust. Call us today for a free estimate, and we’ll be on your side when termites strike this spring.
