What Every Norwalk, CT Homeowner Needs To Know About Termite Swarms
March 15, 2022 - Termites
Even if these small bugs measure no longer than the tip of your thumb, these opportunistic insects are capable of causing mass destruction to properties all over Connecticut.
It’s no secret that spring weather marks the beginning of the return of pest species everywhere. During the warm spring season, termite colonies start preparing for the active season, raising up a separate caste of termites known as alataes. Fully sexually mature and complete with a large set of wings, these alataes wait out the winter for perfect conditions (warm days just after rain) before leaving their home in search of a new habitat to colonize. Here in the Norwalk area, the time that alataes begin to swarm is relative to the species in question. The most common northern species include drywood termites, dampwood termites, and subterranean termites.
Termite swarms can be released multiple times from the same colony. When the alataes are set free, a frenzy will begin in the air, on the ground, or on a sunny-sided wall. These swarms typically last no longer than 30 to 40 minutes as the pests search for a mate, damp soil, and a new home. Swarmers generally appear in full force between April and May.
The most important thing that every Norwalk resident should know about termite swarms is that their presence inside the home is a sure sign of an existing infestation. Even if they do not appear to be dangerous, termite swarms are often the first and most visible sign of nearby termite activity.
The Most Identifiable Symptoms Of Termite Activity
Termite swarmers have several identifiable features that remain the same across multiple species.
- Termite swarmers are not as large as their cousins, carpenter ant swarmers. They are no bigger than 3/8 of an inch on average.
- The wings of the termite swarmer are long, thin, and symmetrical, stretching past their abdomens.
- Termite swarmers have thick waists and straight antennae that do not elbow in the middle.
The signs of termite activity in the home may be quite obvious or hard-to-spot, depending on your unique situation. Keep an eye out for:
- Wing piles near doors and windows
- Swarmers crawling on the interior of windows
- Mud tunnels on foundation walls
If you have questions or concerns about suspected termite swarmers in your home, reach out to your local pest control professional immediately.
If swarmers haven’t yet been found in your home, there may still be some time for prevention.
- Prevent termites from coming near your yard by removing all sources of old, wet, or rotting wood such as old stumps, fences, outbuildings, woodpiles, etc. Also, remove cardboard and keep firewood away from the exterior of your home and up off the ground.
- Reduce air moisture in particularly moist areas by using a dehumidifier, focusing on basements and bathrooms. If any leaking pipes or clogged drains are producing long-term standing water, make every effort to repair the problems as soon as possible.
- Enlist the help of your local pest control professionals. Using seasonal pest control may help prevent other types of pest infestations that begin about the same time as termite swarms. These include mosquito abatements, flea and tick treatments, and more.
What To Do When You Spot Termite Swarmers: Call Insecta X Total Pest Solutions
If you see signs of termites on or around your home, immediately contact the professional exterminators at Insecta X Total Pest Solutions. With decades of experience combating termite swarmers and the various problems they cause, Insecta X Total Pest Solutions is prepared to take down your termite terrors at any time. Call your local office today to speak to a friendly service agent, or fill out the contact form below to begin fighting for your pest-free home now.