Beware of the Destroyers! The Termite Swarm is Coming!

Most everyone in Florida knows that termites eat wood, which can lead to damage to your home, but many still don’t understand what termite swarming is all about and why it matters.

Danger, danger homeowner! Heed this termite-swarm warning!

Swarming is a way for termites to establish new colonies every year—some immature termites in established nests grow into nymphs with wing buds, then over the winter, they grow up and become male and female swarmers with mature, long narrow wings, and are typically darker than normal termites. When spring arrives, they fly out of their nests looking for true love or mates. Once found, the pairs unite and form an entourage with new colonies. The swarm has begun!

For us humans, this is important because it’s the time when termites are looking for a new place to nest or hang out like your backyard for instance. Swarming doesn’t always happen at the same time of year, and it’s dependent on the weather. A rainy January in Florida, for example, can trigger termite swarming in February or March. One of the best ways to prevent an infestation is by calling your termite control experts at Apex Pest Control in Orlando, Tampa and Brevard County at 866-675-4070. We’re your superheroes! We’ll fight termites by applying liquid treatments to your property that create an invisible barrier over the ground where swarming termites may land, preventing them from taking up residence.

An Important Note: There are two basic kinds of termites, those that live underground in nests (subterranean termites) and travel back and forth to a wood source and those that live right in the wood they’re eating (drywood termites).

Subterranean termites:

• Swarm is in far larger numbers than drywood termites—numbering in the hundreds or thousands.
• Causes the most damage.
• Leaves behind telltale mud tubes.

Drywood termites:

• Swarms have only 10 to 100 members.
• Leaves frass (termite droppings) near wood damage areas.

In addition to swarming termites flying around in a yard, homeowners can also look for discarded wings—the termites let go of their wings once they land and begin building a nest. Sightings should be taken seriously because many homeowners mistakenly believe the problem has gone away when they no longer see termites in the air—that’s a sign that swarming season is past, and serious nest building and new termite production has begun. In just a few months you could have a major problem on your hands, so act now!

If you suspect termites have started a new colony in or near your home, call the termite control experts at Apex Pest Control in Orlando, Tampa and Brevard County at 866-675-4070. We use the latest technology, products and methods to successfully treat brick, block, frame and metal structures for residential and commercial properties, making sure your termite problem goes away.