6 Common Myths About Swarming Termites
3 pros!
Learn to separate termite fact from fiction in order to avoid a costly pest problem.
“Termite Swarm Season” is used to describe the time of year in early spring when termites begin their reproductive process. If you have ever seen a “swarm,” it is not an experience you will soon forget.
Reproductive termites leave their nests to mate. The process is fast and furious. When it begins, you will see a few flying termites, but within minutes, there may be thousands of them exiting a small hole and filling a room. The process usually lasts less than one hour, but may occur several times over the course of a week.
There are a lot of myths around this process and termites in general. Let’s take a look at the facts:
1. Termite swarmers are damaging my property
Termite swarmers are not eating your home. They have one purpose in life and that is to mate and create new colonies. While it is true that termites cause over $2 billion in damages each year, it takes most colonies a while to do any significant damage. It is when the evidence of termites is ignored that serious damage can occur.
2. The termites have stopped swarming
Termites only “swarm” when the colony gets to a large enough size (usually established for at least two to three years). Once the termites stop swarming, that just means that the process is over. The main colony is still there and can contain a million or more termites.
3. Termites can swarm throughout the year
Termites only swarm one time a year (in the spring). The temperature needs to reach 70 degrees or more. The swarm usually happens the first sunny day after a heavy rain. If you see “swarm-like” insect in other times of the year, it is probably an ant swarm, which looks very similar.
4. Does termite treatment eliminate the pests?
Termite treatments give great protection to the property. Unfortunately, there are a lot of factors that can create opportunities for termites. The biggest is the swarm process itself. Any colony in the area will send thousands of termites out to set up new colonies. If there are any breaks in the barrier around the structure due to new landscaping, or even a small crack in the foundation, these new colonies can find them and enter the structure.
5. Termite prevention is impossible
There are a lot of things you can do to help prevent termites. Most professional pest control companies will provide you with a free inspection. The report will list any conducive conditions for termites, such as moisture areas, high soil condition along the structure or wood that is in contact with the ground. Correcting these types of things will reduce the chance that termites will invade the structure.
6. Termite protection and treatment is expensive
There are a lot of treatment options available, including colony elimination liquids, baiting and spot treatments. One of the least expensive and proactive protection options is a termite warranty through a professional termite and pest control company.
These warranties usually include an annual inspection of the structure(s) with reports listing any conducive conditions. They usually include treatment of any termites found during the inspection and cover the structure for the next 12 months. There are companies that will also offer damage protection. If termites cause any damage while under warranty, the pest control company will pay for it. The prices and terms of these warranties vary, so make sure to compare the offers when hiring a company.
About this Experts Contributor: Scott Young is the owner of Certified Termite & Pest Control, providing pest control services in Dallas. Since 1974, Certified Termite & Pest Control has specialized in treating and preventing termites, mosquitos, bed bugs and other wildlife pests.
As of May 18, 2015, this service provider was highly rated on Angie's List. Ratings are subject to change based on consumer feedback, so check Angie's List for the most up-to-date reviews. The views expressed by this author do not necessarily reflect those of Angie's List.