It might not surprise you to hear that termite season lasts much longer here in Dallas than in most other parts of the country. This isn’t because termites like us more, or because our wood is tastier than in other parts of the US. It has to do with our climate. You see, termites love warm and humid weather. What they love even more is swarming after a rainy day. When everything is wet, termites have a blast. What does this mean for your Dallas home? Let’s find out.
What Are Termite Swarmers
Typically termites stay deep underground or within a structure of wood. This is due to their easily dried-out skin that needs to remain moist at all times. Termite swarmers are an exception to this need. Unlike worker termites, termite swarmers are able to venture out into open air to buzz around your property. Why do they do this? To find new locations to build more colonies. Mostly this involves looking for edible wood and a patch of earth that can be tunneled into, which are plentiful here in Texas. Once a location is found, termite swarmers (winged termite kings and queens) set everything into motion. Within a few months, the new colony will begin to pose a threat to any structure of wood nearby.
Why Swarmers Are A Bad Sign
Seeing termite swarmers is a very bad sign. Not just because of the new colony, they might establish, but what their presence indicates about other colonies nearby. You see, swarmers are only produced from fully mature termite colonies and they are bad flyers by nature. It is extremely rare for a swarmer to travel over a mile to start a new colony. If you are seeing swarmers outside your home, you can be sure there is a fully mature colony nearby. Even worse, if you see swarmers inside your home, it is almost certain that termites are already causing damage to your property.
What To Do If You Spot Swarmers Outside Of Your Home?
If you have not noticed any swarmers inside your Dallas home, but have seen them outside or heard neighbors talking about them, it is no too late for the following prevention tips. Here are some things we recommend you do to make your home less accessible and attractive to termites.
Clear your yard or organic debris such as leaf piles, dead stumps, and other wood-based material.
Make sure there is no cardboard on your property.
Do not use wood-based mulches on your property.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between exterior soil around your home and its structural wood.
Use a caulking gun to seal up gaps, cracks, and holes in your home’s exterior foundation.
Fix leaks around your home and make sure your gutters are in good working order.
Use dehumidifiers around humid areas of your home.
Repair or replace wood that has been damaged by rot, water damage, or decay.
What To Do If You Find Swarmers Inside Your Home?
If swarmers are inside your home, its structure could be at risk. To eliminate termites and prevent future damage, let the professionals at DANCAN The Pest Control Expert come to your aid. Our solutions are designed to quickly and reliably eliminate and deter termite threats from properties.
The sad truth is, termite season never really ends here in the Dallas area. So it is more important than ever to trust the professionals to protect your property from their destruction. Don’t try to deal with termites on your own. Trust DANCAN today. Give us a call to find your Dallas home’s best solution to destructive pests. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of care.