Unless you catch pest problems before they start, it can be extremely hard to avoid the larger problems they cause. Termites prove this in the extreme. By the time property owners realize the damage that they’ve caused, the costs and dangers of termite activity can be extreme. Only by learning how termite colonies start and making sure you’re taking all the necessary precautions, can you hope to avoid these issues.
What Is Termite Season?
Termite season is the time of year when most new termite colonies are formed. Typically in spring and early summer, termite season is when swarmers, the reproductive members of termite populations, fly off to find new areas to form colonies. Termite swarmers, or alates, look for loose soils to build mounds or tunnels in. Once they find an attractive spot, close to plenty of wood for their colony to feed on, swarmers shed their wings and begin spawning thousands more termites to build the colony. This is why it’s important to address factors in your yard and around your exterior that might attract termites long before swarmers even take to the air. But make no mistake, while it is important to head off termite colonies before they start, termites aren’t just a seasonal problem. Existing colonies can survive year-round, and termites don’t need to rest like other animals. They can cause a terrible amount of damage if left untreated, so it’s never a bad time to make sure that termites aren’t already a concern on your property.
Swarmers Are The First Sign
Where you spot termite swarms around your property can be a good indicator of how prevalent termites already are in your area. What’s so difficult about containing termites is that they don’t care about property lines or personal space. A colony can form outside your yard and spawn swarmers that create a more immediate problem in your lawn. That’s why it falls to every property owner to make extra sure they don’t already have an infestation. And keeping your eyes peeled for flying termites around your property is only one aspect of preventing colonies from forming. For the rest, you need expert guidance and regular prevention methods that are already in place before termite season starts.
Termite Prevention
To head off termite colonies before they form, you need to make sure that you’re reducing the factors that make your lawn attractive to them. While there is no substitute for professional assistance, these are all things that property owners should address consistently:
Landscaping: A smart layout of your yard can make all the difference. Not only should you keep plants trimmed back from your exterior, but you should also make sure soil beds and woodpiles are far away, too.
Moisture Control: Termites are attracted to damp areas and some specifically eat wet woods. Water damage can also make your exterior walls easier for pests of all kinds to access.
Crack Sealing: Termite colonies rarely start directly inside of a home. Instead, they tend to begin outdoors and then grow towards wooden structures. Cracks in your exterior walls or foundation can provide them with quick ways to eat through structural woods.
Real Termite Protection
The damage termites cause to properties every year is significant and expensive. That’s why it’s important to not cut any corners when it comes to pest control. Instead of trying to spot all the signs and address all the attracting factors on your own, let our experts help you. At Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators, our expert staff knows all the ways that termite colonies form and grow out of control. We can not only help you avoid the formation of termites, but professional solutions can get rid of them quickly before they can do big damage to your property. Let us get started on an inspection of your property today, determining how prepared you are for termite season. Whether you need assistance with early prevention or timely removal of existing pest problems, we’re here to help.
Don’t let termites catch you by surprise, contact Quik-Kill Pest Eliminators for superior termite season protection.