Learn How To Identify Swarming Termites

Learn How To Identify Swarming Termites

Have you ever come home, stepped out of your car, and noticed a mass of crawling, winged insects on your windowsills or foundation walls? Would you be able to tell if that mass of insects was a swarm of flying ants or termite swarmers? In case you don’t know the difference, this article will explain how to identify termite swarmers, the damages termites cause, and what you can do if you discover your structure has been infested by termites.

A termite colony, when it matures, will send out what are called alates, or termite swarmers, to start new colonies. These swarmers only appear briefly, for around a half an hour, a couple of times a year, so they are easily missed. If you see termite swarmers, be aware that there is certainly a mature colony somewhere nearby. And, if that place happens to be your home, you need to take action before damages go beyond repair.

Visually identifying termite swarmers is very important, since termites cost United States property owners billions of dollars each year. First, when looking at a swarmer, look at the four wings. If they stack evenly on top of one another, you are looking at a termite. Termite wings are white, whereas the wings on a carpenter ant swarmer are tan. Also, notice if the wings go beyond the abdomen. If they are only slightly longer, you are looking at an ant. If the wings go far beyond the abdomen, this is a termite.  And termite swarmers are much smaller than ants, measuring around 3/8 of an inch long while ant swarmers can be 5/8 of an inch. Two other ways to tell termite swarmers are that they have antennae that are mostly straight, and they have a distinct pinch between their thorax and abdomen.

Damages Done By Termites

Termites can do damage to a structure for years without being detected, damage that looks like long grooves stacked on top of each other inside wood. This causes the wood to have a tattered look, almost like stacked cardboard edges. When termites feed on wood, it becomes brittle and hollow. But you are unlikely to see this unless you are doing renovations. If you break off a piece of wood and it feels light, it could have been eaten by termites. Similarly, if you tap on a support beam and it sounds hollow, this is another good indication.

Secondary damages of termites include peeling wallpaper, bulging walls, sagging floors and ceilings and windows and doors that don’t open or close properly.

If you see termite swarmers, or are noticing the signs termites leave behind, Russel’s Pest Control is here to help. For more information, or to schedule termite service, reach out to us today.

Never Too Early To Think About Termites

Never Too Early To Think About Termites

There is something refreshing about seeing signs that spring is almost here. Things like more daylight, spring ads on television or in the newspapers and warmer weather apparel making its way into stores, are all hopeful signs of the soon coming season. Immediately your mind goes to yard care, t-shirts, and a glass of iced tea. No matter what kind of a winter we have had, it is safe to say that a lot of us are usually happy to see the end of it for another year. Spring is also a good reminder that with the temperature rising so will the influx of pests. Termites are one such pest that you can be sure will be on the move this spring.

Spring is the time of the year when a termite nest has reached its limit in size and capacity. Swarms of these pests are often spotted making their way through fields and woods, and frequently neighborhoods. Often, we do not really know what we are looking at and will dismiss it from our minds as soon as we are out of sight of it. Unfortunately, these termites might just be looking for a way into your home. If they do get in, these swarmers will quickly establish a nest and get to work on building their population and eating everything in sight all without the homeowner ever knowing they are there.

The termite has a voracious appetite for anything that contains cellulose. Cellulose is found in many things in nature, including building materials that may have been used in your home, like wood. Their extraordinarily strong jaws tirelessly work their way through wood, drywall, paste, glue, and many other materials that can do thousands of dollars in damage to a building undetected until it is visible in the frequented parts of the home.

There is good news though. Homeowners can save thousands in repairs and treatment for termite infestations by working with a reputable pest control company, like Russell’s Pest Control, to prevent termites from entering in the first place. If your home already has termites, we can work with you to eliminate the current threat and set measures in place to prevent future termite damage. Russell’s Pest Control has worked with hundreds of home owners over the years, keeping their most valuable asset termite-free. Imagine the relief knowing that your home is guaranteed to be safe from termites all year-long. That peace of mind is well worth it. Call today to learn more about our quality termite services!