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What Every St. Charles Homeowner Ought To Know About Termite Swarmers


March 16, 2020

Ever since the first log house was built here in America, termites have been causing problems for Americans. Before America was colonized, termites relied mostly on fallen trees as their source of food. When you think about it, we made gathering food easier for them by cutting trees down and turning them into our homes. Of course, we do everything we can to treat wood to protect it against termites. Many homes are built with termite prevention in mind. Florida has termites so badly, most of their homes aren’t even build with wood. Here in St. Charles, however, our homes are mainly made out of wood, and if you are not careful, yours could be on the menu this termite season.

termites swarming around outdoor light at night

What Are Termite Swarmers?

Each termite colony consists of a caste of termites. There are workers, soldiers, reproductives, and swarmers. Today we are focusing on swarmers. Swarmers are winged reproductive termites that are only produced when a termite colony has become fully mature. The maturation process usually takes between 3 and 5 years. Once produced, swarmers leave the colony to search out new locations to build new nests. This is also called colonization. If a home has a current termite problem, and swarmers are produced, it is not uncommon for them to build another nest nearby, thus doubling the termites feeding on the home. It is uncommon but not impossible for a home to have more than 3 colonies of termites eating away at it. Hopefully, this is not the case for you!
 
If you are spotting termite swarmers in or around your home, there are a few things you can assume. Swarmers outside usually mean there is a fully mature colony nearby, possibly several blocks away or maybe right next door. Either way, seeing swarmers outside your home means it is at risk of a termite infestation. The bigger problem is when swarmers are seen inside, as this usually means a fully mature colony is already damaging your home. Fingers crossed you haven’t seen swarmers in your home just yet!

How Bad Can Termite Damage Get?

There is a good reason why termites are called “silent destroyers.” Most often, termite infestations are not discovered until years after they have begun, with the first sign being visible swarmers. In the years that termites can go unnoticed, a number of serious issues can occur. Given enough time, you might start to notice things like overly squeaky floorboards, bubbling wallpaper or paint, dipping ceilings, buckling walls, and other serious structural damage around your home. Our goal is to help you prevent termites before any of this occurs to your home.

Termite Prevention For Termite-Free Homes

If your home is currently termite-free, here are some prevention tips you can try.

  • Seal gaps and cracks in your home’s exterior.

  • Address moisture issues by fixing leaks, repairing broken gutters, and using dehumidifiers as necessary.

  • Avoid using wood-based mulch.

  • Keep your yard free leaf piles, wood debris, and wood and paper-based items such as cardboard and newspaper.

  • Trim back bushes and trees from your home’s exterior.

The Best Way To Keep Your Home Termite Free

If you have seen termite swarmers or other signs of termite activity around your home, it is time to get the professionals involved. At Pest Control Consultants, we provide exceptional and reliable solutions for termite problems. If your St. Charles home is in need of termite treatments we have your answers here.

Give us a call today to schedule a termite inspection for your home, or to discuss your options for treatment and professional prevention.

Tags: termite prevention | home pest control | termites |