Easy Ways to identify Swarmers or Termites in Your Home
Termites are often called “silent destroyers,” because they can damage your home without you ever knowing it. They are a significant concern for homeowners because they can eat 24 hours daily. The swarmers are the flying males of a termite colony who have left their nest to find new mates. They look like large, black ants but are the offspring of termites.
When these winged insects appear in your home, it’s a sign that your home is infested with these destructive pests. If you’ve ever seen one, it’s hard to forget. These tiny creatures can swarm out of your home in droves, leaving their signature wings behind as they go.
What does this mean for you and your home? Here are the different ways to identify termites in your home, so you can take action quickly to keep them from taking over your house.
Simple Ways to Identify Termites in Your Home
Follow these tips when identifying these mites:
Swarming Problem
The easiest way to spot termites is when they swarm. When they do this, they leave behind winged bodies that look like ants but have much different coloring than regular carpenter ants. They might also be flying around near the ground level of your house near windows or doors. So keep an eye out for any insects that look like flying ants.
Identifying the Termites in Different Places
Another way to identify termites is by seeing their bodies when they’re not swarming. You can find them inside wood structures such as floorboards or window frames. Also, check under siding on exterior walls of houses, garages, sheds, etc. Sometimes they will come inside if there’s enough moisture, especially during rainstorms.
They work in groups of a few dozen to hundreds of thousands, if not millions. So if you see many insects in your home, it’s a good idea to have them looked at by an exterminator as soon as possible.
Termite Mud Tubes
Mites create mud tubes that allow them to travel from one area of your house to another without being seen by predators or destroyed by weather conditions outside. They use this tunnel to deposit fecal pellets containing nutrients for feeding the young termites. As the droppings and pellets are deposited, it becomes coated with mud. Later creating a “mud tube”.
You can find these tunnels on the sides of walls and floors in your house, in between floorboards or around window frames. You may not see them at first glance because they’re usually less than 1/4" wide but don’t let that fool you. They can eventually grow into huge mounds of mud and cause severe damage if left untreated.
Rotting Wood
Rotting wood is another sign of something wrong with your house, especially if it’s only happening in one spot. It usually starts from the inside out, but once enough pressure builds up within the wood itself, the wood will begin to flake and crack.
The Effects Termites Can Have
The following are some causes of termites in your home:
· Wood floors and furniture damage
Termites can cause damage to wood floors, furniture, and structural parts of your home. They eat away at wood until it becomes weak or breaks down completely.
· House Structural Issues
These mites also feed on wood siding and trim around windows and doors. This can lead to structural issues within your home, such as cracking walls or floors, causing costly repairs. When you find small piles of their droppings, it’s a good idea to get in touch with a professional who can thoroughly inspect and treat the pests.
How to Treat Termites at Home
There are a few ways to protect your home from these little pests before they have a chance to take up residence:
· Install screens on windows with more than one story off the ground. Termite swarmers can’t fly through screens.
· Seal cracks and crevices around doors and windows with caulk or putty. These gaps are where termite swarmer alates like to hide when they’re looking for potential homes.
· Look under outdoor furniture and other items that could provide shelter for termites. If you find any, remove them immediately, so they don’t get inside your home.
Conclusion
If you see swarmers in your home, it’s time to call a pest control professional. The flying termites can bring the rest of their colony to your house to start a new nest. They don’t do this randomly; they come from existing colonies nearby and look for suitable homes with high-quality wood.
If you see termites in your home, it’s time to call a pest control professional. The longer you wait, the more damage they can do, which means more money spent on repairs later on. And if there’s one thing we know about our customers at Jullieter’s Pest Control, we all hate spending money unnecessarily. So, if you see these insects in your home or want to ensure that nothing like that is happening, contact us today!