Have you ever seen a winged ant that doesn’t look like an ant? You probably saw a termite swarmer. Termites are common pests here in Marietta that are not commonly seen. They spend the majority of their lives underground or inside structures of wood. The only time they come out in the open is during swarming season. Today we will be talking about termite swarmers and what they could mean for your Marietta home. If you are interested to learn more about these pests, here are some things to consider today. To skip right to professional termite control, call our team at ProCare Pest Services. We will talk you through our services and schedule your home and property for a visit.
What Are Flying Termites?
Flying termites, also known as swarmers, are winged, reproductive termites. Fully mature colonies of termites produce swarmers when they are looking to expand or start new nests nearby. Different types of termites swarm during different seasons. Eastern subterranean termites, the most common species in Marietta, swarm on warm afternoons after rainfall when the wind is low. Since termites are not built to survive above ground, swarmers only have 30 to 40 minutes to find a new place to build before they dry out and die. Different kinds of termites look for different conditions to build their nests. We will talk more about this in a bit.
Flying Termites Don't Necessarily Mean An Infestation
Just because you are seeing swarmers, doesn’t mean your home is at risk. Sometimes swarmers inspect homes, find no good places to invade, and fly elsewhere. The trick to using swarmers to identify an infestation involves looking at where these pests are. If swarmers are around your home looking in, it means they are checking things out. This could lead to a future infestation but does not indicate a current problem. Swarmers inside, however, more often than not, indicate infestation. Unless you keep your windows and doors open a lot, the only way swarmers can get indoors is through preexisting tunnels dug by other termites. If you see winged termites anywhere near your home, bring in the professionals at ProCare Pest Services for a thorough inspection. We will determine if you have an active infestation and suggest options to deal with these pests fast.
Factors That Attract Termites To Your Home And Yard
Termites are more likely to invade a property with food than a property that lacks tasty treats. What do termites eat? They eat cellulose, the main component found in wood. Some items that contain cellulose that might be found on your property are wallpaper, cardboard, newspaper, sticks, leaves, fallen trees, stumps, lumber, and your home’s structural wood. The two most common types of termites in Marietta are subterranean termites and drywood termites. Subterranean termites prefer softened water-damaged wood while drywood termites have no problem chewing through dry, hardwood.
What To Do About Flying Termites Around Your Home
If you notice swarmers anywhere near your home, do not hesitate to involve the experts at ProCare Pest Services. We will inspect your property for these destructive insects, identify if you have an active infestation, and put in place treatments to eliminate current and future termite invaders. If you didn’t know, termite damage is not usually covered in home insurance plans. Companies deem these pests as a “preventable disaster.” Prevent this disaster from happening to your home with our year-round termite control.
Call today to schedule your home for a service visit and learn more about pest control in Marietta.