Termites are destructive insects that can cause a lot of damage to your home in a short amount of time. In Pennsylvania, subterranean termites are the most commonly found. If you think you might have termites around your home, you should act fast to come up with the right termite control solution. At Terra Pest Management Specialists, we provide customized pest control in Collegeville, and we can help you determine the right strategy to eliminate termites from your property.
What Are Termite Swarmers?
Subterranean termites live primarily underground in large colonies. Subterranean termites are divided into three castes: soldiers, workers, and reproductive. The soldiers and workers will travel from their nest to a food source using an elaborate system of tunnels and mud tubes. The reproductive can also use these tubes to travel safely, but their job is not to improve the existing colony. Instead, they use their wings to look for a new place to establish a colony. The reproductive termites, also known as alates, get the nickname "swarmer termites'' because they swarm nearby areas looking for mates to start a new colony.
In Collegeville, termite swarming season is usually in the early spring when the weather starts to warm up. This is the time that you will see several winged termites flying around your property. Even though these insects have two sets of wings, they are not great flyers. Typically, a swarmer is unable to fly more than 300 feet away from its original colony.
Do Termite Swarmers Mean You Have Termites?
If you are seeing termite swarmers around your property, it could mean that these termites have decided that your yard is a good place to start a new colony. Or it could mean that a colony is already there. Once a termite has found a mate, it will shed its wings. If you find small, white wings that have been discarded and left on your window sill or door sill, it could mean that you have a new termite colony forming in or near your home.
What Attracts Termites Swarmers To Your Home?
Termite swarmers will come to your property if they think it looks like a viable place to start a colony. They thrive in warm and moist areas. Some of the things that could attract termites to your home include:
- Using mulch around your home: Mulch is able to retain water extremely well. Having a bunch of wet wood chips around your home could cause termites to swarm around your home.
- Having clogged or damaged gutters: If you don't have gutters, or your gutters are unable to guide water away from your home, the water that can accumulate around the outside of your home will attract termites.
- Poorly ventilated areas: Areas of your home that are commonly moist and humid, like basements and crawl spaces, should be well-ventilated to eliminate extra moisture.
- Wood to soil contact: Anywhere that wood comes into direct contact with the soil can provide a pathway for termites looking to enter your home.
Termite swarmers are also attracted to light. They will commonly swarm around your porch lights or the lights around your windows. To prevent this, don't keep your outdoor lights on all night, and use a thick curtain over your windows to block out the light.
How Do You Get Rid Of Termite Swarmers?
Termite swarmers could be a sign that your Collegeville home is about to be infested with termites. If you see any of these tiny insects swarming around your home, do not hesitate to give us a call! At Terra Pest Management Specialists, we know how to get rid of termite swarmers and prevent them from building a nest on your property. Call today for a free estimate!
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