By this point, you have probably heard about termites. You know how destructive they can be to the wood of a home, and you most likely do not want them anywhere near yours. Unfortunately, termites are becoming more and more difficult to avoid, especially now that some have grown wings and taken to the skies. That’s right! It’s swarming season here in San Antonio, and if you are not careful, your home could be at risk.
What Is Termite Season?
Termite season, also known as swarming season, is a time where fully mature termite colonies expand. Just like the famous French leader Napoleon, termites are looking to grow their empire (in the case of termites it is to be able to consume more wood, faster). This involves two things, the spawning of termite swarmers (reproductive winged termites), and the act of swarming, where termite swarmers venture out to establish new colonies.
Swarmers Around Your San Antonio Home
Seeing swarmers around your San Antonio home is not a direct sign of a termite infestation. It is, however, an indication that an infestation could be becoming. If termites investigate your home and find it is ripe for the harvest, they might choose to build a colony nearby. This colony over the course of a year can deal a fair amount of damage to your home. If left unchecked, you could be looking at tens of thousands of dollars in damage in just a few years.
Swarmers Inside Your San Antonio Home
Seeing termite swarmers inside your San Antonio is a much worse sign. It means one of two things. Either that you have left a window or door open allowing a group inside, or more likely, there are holes in your home’s structural wood, made by other termites. The second chance is the most concerning as it means there is a fully mature termite colony nearby already eating away at your home’s structure. Be sure to keep your eye out this termite season for swarmers and their discarded wings as this is the best way, without professional help, to know your home has an infestation.
Termite Prevention Tips
If you haven’t yet seen swarmers inside your home, it is not too late for termite prevention. To safeguard your home against destructive termites, here are some things we recommend.
- Repair broken gutters so that they are able to properly channel water away from your home’s exterior foundation.
- Trim back bushes and trees to allow light to shine on and keep your home’s exterior dry.
- Avoid using wood-based mulch products, especially near your home’s exterior.
- Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil and your home’s structural wood.
- Repair or replace structural wood that has been damaged by water damage, rot, or decay.
- Keep your yard clean of wood-based debris such as sticks, leaves, and cardboard.
- Fix leaky pipes inside your home.
- Consider using a dehumidifier around particularly humid areas around your home.
The more effort you put into preventing termites, the less likely they will be to find their way into your home.
The Easier Way To Deal With Termites
There is only one guaranteed way to keep termites out of your San Antonio home, and that is with professional termite control. At Family Pest Control, eliminating and keeping termites away is what we do best. With over 35 years of experience and a team of highly dedicated pest control professionals, you will never have to wonder if your home is getting the best treatment possible.
Give us a call today to find out how our termite-control services could benefit you and your San Antonio property. We promise you will not be disappointed.