After an especially cold and snowy winter, most of the country is anxious to welcome spring. In the Eastern United States, however, the warm weather could bring more than sunshine and flowers as termites find their way up through the ground.
Here on the East Coast, subterranean termites are common and live in underground colonies throughout the region. Some of these colonies are deep underground and go unnoticed until warm weather arrives and launches a flurry of termite mating activity.
As the season gets underway, termites tunnel up through soil and straight into wood, bricks and sheetrock. Without intervention, they are capable of causing thousands of dollars of damage and could even render your home unlivable. It’s important to have your home inspected and to take action if termites are present.
Spotting the Intruders
Termites can cause obvious red flags, but they aren’t always noticeable to the untrained eye. A thorough inspection will determine if termites are living nearby and preparing to make a meal out of your home. You or a pest control expert can start by looking for the most overt signs of a termite infestation:
- Swarming groups of male and female winged termites known as alates will leave the colony to mate in a sudden swarm of frenzied termites. These bursts of activity usually occur on warm days and last less than an hour during daylight in March, April and May. In the worst cases, indoor swarming may occur and is an almost sure-fire sign of a termite infestation.
- Mud Tubes and mud protruding from cracks in wooden structures usually indicate the presence of termites. Ranging from ¼ to one inch wide, termites build these pathways from dirt and water to protect themselves from air and predators while they seek out wood to consume. Breaking the tubes can determine if they are active; if termites are around, they will rebuild them.
- Wood damage caused by termites consists of paths or tunnels through wood which aren’t necessarily obvious to the naked eye. These paths eventually leave the wood hollowed out and weakened. Using a pointed tool such as a screwdriver to probe will indicate when wood is affected by termites.
Termites cause more than $5 billion in damage every year!
Have your home inspected by a Western Pest expert and stop termites in their tracks. Call 1-800-544-BUGS (2847) to sign up for a free home inspection today.
