Termites are pests that are active year-round which means they can damage your home any time of year. While they can be an issue no matter the month, termite season starts in the spring and can go on until later fall. Termite season is when termites begin to look for new places to build new colonies. This is when the colonies send out termite swarmers which are the members of the termite caste system responsible for reproduction. One of the best ways to tell if you have a termite problem is if you notice these termite swarmers during the termite season. Here are what they look like:
- They are similar in appearance to flying ants.
- They have oval-shaped bodies that are uniform in shape all the way down.
- They have translucent wings that are much longer than their bodies.
How Much Damage Can Termites Cause?
Termites can be an extremely invasive and troublesome pest. They eat through the wood which means any wooden structure in your home can appeal to them. Termites can cause damage to many areas of your home including:
- Drywall
- Wooden flooring
- Walls
- Ceilings
- Furniture
The other big concern with termites is that they aren’t easy to detect. Often, the existence of termites isn’t made clear until they’ve already done significant damage to a home. In some cases, termites can wreak havoc for years before they’re noticed.
One of the earliest signs of termites is termite swarmers. The other termites spend most of their time eating inside the wood, but the termite swarmers leave the colonies which makes them more visible. You might also notice discarded wings. Other signs of termites include the appearance of water damage or the sight of buckling floors or ceilings.
Preventing Termite Damage
If you haven’t noticed any signs of termites, it’s a great time to take some prevention steps. If you notice termite swarmers outside, there is still a chance that these pests haven’t made their way into your house yet. Here are some prevention steps you can take:
- Get rid of tree stumps, decaying wood, and other wood debris and trash on your property.
- Make sure to keep firewood away from the exterior of your home by at least 30 feet.
- Install a soil barrier between the foundation of your home and the soil.
- Get rid of excess moisture by fixing leaky pipes and faucets.
Getting Rid Of An Infestation
If you’ve noticed termite swarmers or other signs of termites in your New Jersey home, the best and most effective way to get rid of them is to contact the professionals at Heritage Pest Control. Since termites are capable of so much damage, it’s essential to get them eliminated at the first indication of a problem.
We have over 30 years of experience getting rid of termites and other pests in the area.
Give us a call at (866) 932-1331 to learn more.