Have you ever seen a flying termite? Maybe you've seen one before but thought you saw a flying ant. But, while you might assume that flying termites are a unique species, they are the termites that leave the nest to reproduce during certain times of the year. Seeing flying termites is often the first sign of a termite infestation, so identifying these pests is essential.
Discover all you need to know about flying termites in Columbus and what to do when you find them around your property.
What Are Flying Termites?
Flying termites are responsible for reproduction and expanding their colony to new areas. They are also known as termite swarmers or termite alates. While the worker and soldier termites hardly ever leave the nest, the termite swarmers will emerge sometime between spring and fall.
When they leave their underground nests, these termites will congregate in "swarms." The swarm itself only lasts around half an hour. If the termites don't find a new place to burrow underground, they will die. Since the swarm only lasts a short time, you might not see it while it's active, but you can also look for discarded termite wings.
Termites are active year-round once they establish a colony. They only reproduce during the termite season, from early spring through late fall.
What It Means If You're Seeing Flying Termites Around Your Home
Seeing flying termites in your home is an ominous warning. Termites are one of the most destructive pests in the area as they can tunnel through wooden structures throughout the year. If you see flying termites outside, termites may not yet be living in your home, but if you see flying termites inside your home, you probably have an active infestation and need Columbus termite control services.
Termite damage can cost thousands of dollars on home repairs generally not covered by your home insurance. Implementing preventative practices is the first step to keeping your home safe from termites. Annual inspections from our team at 1st Response Pest Management, LLC is the most crucial step you can take to safeguard your home against termite invasion.
How To Make Your Home Less Attractive To Termites
Moisture is a rich breeding ground for termites and attracts them to your home. To avoid a termite infestation, you should implement a few preventive measures. The Columbus pest control experts at 1st Response Pest Management, LLC recommend these measures:
- Remove water-damaged wood from around your yard.
- Store lumber at least 30 feet away from the outside of your house.
- Repair leaky pipes and faucets to reduce humidity.
- Get rid of standing water from the yard to limit moisture problems.
- Install a barrier between the soil and the foundation of your home.
- Contact home pest control professionals for termite prevention plans and annual termite inspections.
If you are experiencing an active infestation, removing it independently rarely works. Call us at 1st Response Pest Management, LLC for the help of our termite exclusion team.
The Best Way To Protect Your Home From Termites
Termite protection is essential for every Columbus resident. At 1st Response Pest Management, LLC., we provide termite inspections, termite prevention, and termite removal services. We can protect your home from these destructive pests and prevent reinfestation. Call us today to request a quote.