Flying termites present a major warning sign of a possible infestation on your Sugar Land property. Termite colonies consist of a few types of members within their caste system, but flying termites, also called swarmers or reproductives, only become active once a termite colony has reached maturity and needs to establish new colonies. To keep flying termites away from your home, you must know how to identify them and remove factors that might attract them. All-Safe Pest & Termite is here to help you with pest control in Sugar Land, Texas.
What Are Flying Termites?
There are typically three different kinds of termites in any colony; workers, soldiers, swarmers, or flying termites. Flying termites are usually the largest members within a colony and are the only ones with wings. They are typically darker in color than workers or soldiers. Their job is to establish new colonies and reproduce after their current colony has grown too large. Flying termites can sometimes be mistaken for winged ants, but they have wider waists, four wings, and straight antennae. Soldiers are usually larger than workers, with darker heads and large mandibles. Their job is to protect the colony and the workers. Workers are the smallest termites in a colony. Their job is to consume the wood that provides nourishment for the rest of the colony. Evidence of termite damage can be hard to spot and go unnoticed for months or years. However, seeing flying termites is a definite cause for concern. Let’s talk about why.
Does Seeing Flying Termites Mean Your Home Has Termites?
Flying termites usually only emerge when a termite colony is three to six years old. If you are seeing flying termites or finding their discarded wings near your home, you are likely facing a termite infestation that has been near your home for years. Termites can deal massive damage when left unchecked. Even a small colony can consume several square feet of wood yearly. If the damage impacts any structural part of your home, you could be looking at extensive and costly repairs. That’s why it’s essential to contact a Sugar Land termite control professional if you suspect that your home might have a termite infestation.
Factors That Attract Flying Termites To Your Home
What attracts termites to your home in the first place? The main attractions for most kinds of termites are food and shelter. Termites consume the cellulose found in wood, and unfortunately, every house in the United States has some amount of cellulose, regardless of its construction. So your home is an ideal place for termites to live whether you want it to be or not. However, there are some things you can do to mitigate the possibility of termites invading your home.
Here are four simple termite prevention tips:
- Get rid of any sources of standing water or excess moisture near your home.
- Store firewood away from your house and up off the ground.
- Seal any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your home.
- Monitor areas of your house where wood is in contact with the ground.
These tips will only help prevent flying termites from infesting your property. They won’t remove them if they are already there.
The Best Thing To Do About Flying Termites Around Your Home
If you find yourself dealing with active termites around your Sugar Land home, the best thing you can do is contact All-Safe Pest & Termite. Our team has been helping homeowners like you since 1984. We have the tools and expertise necessary to get rid of termites in your house for good. You can count on our commitment to excellent customer service and reliable results. Contact All-Safe Pest & Termite today for help with termites and to learn more about our residential and commercial pest control services in Sugar Land.