What Do Termite Swarmers Look Like?
A termite swarmer looks like a long, oval-shaped ant with even longer wings. Termite swarmers can range from white to almost black in color. A termite swarmer's main job is to leave their colony and find new areas nearby to build a nest.
One thing you should know about these flying termites is that they are not built to survive long above the ground. A swarmer can only last 30 minutes to an hour before drying out and dying. The lucky ones shed their wings and start building new nests long before this happens. The most common types of termites in Rock Island, subterranean termites, look for water-damaged, rotting, or softened wood to eat. If your home or one of your outbuildings has weakened wood, termites may cause problems on your property this termite season.
Termite Swarmers Could Be The First Warning Sign
Many pests, like ants, flies, and stink bugs, invade Rock Island homes visibly. Termites are a bit different. These bugs usually live underground and use intricate tunnels to travel into homes and through wood structures. This makes them extremely hard to identify. Keeping this in mind, seeing swarmers around your home could be your first warning sign of a future problem. However, if you notice these flying wood-destroyers indoors, your home is likely under attack already. The only way to know for certain is to have a professional come out and perform a detailed inspection.
How Long Does Termite Season Last?
Termite swarmers swarm during termite season. Different types of termites swarm during different times of the year. Here in Rock Island, the only species of termites are subterranean termites. These pests swarm during the day in the spring. This timing can change depending on the harshness of winter and when temperatures start to rise locally.
Five Prevention Tips For Termites
To keep these destructive creatures out of your home, the team at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators suggests following these five steps:
- Identify holes, cracks, and gaps around your home's foundation. Seal these potential entry points using a caulking gun.
- Address sources of moisture around your home, especially sources that might negatively impact wooden structures.
- Remove fallen trees, stumps, sticks, leaves, cardboard, and newspaper from your property.
- Ensure all of your window and door screens, weather stripping, and door sweeps are in good working condition.
- Inspect your home's structural wood. Repair or replace sections that are water-damaged, rotting, or decaying.
If you think you might already have termites inside your home, reach out to your local pest control professionals to schedule an inspection.
How Do You Get Rid Of Termite Swarmers?
If you've noticed signs of termites in or around your Rock Island home or are worried about termite swarmers, let the experts at Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators lend you a helping hand today. Our team knows how to identify termites and has access to industrial-grade products and treatments to control these pests effectively. We've been in business since 1929 and proudly serve members of our community with excellence and dedication.
Contact our team today to learn more about termite control or other pest control in Rock Island. We will answer any questions you have and get you started on a road to a termite-free home and property.