Recently we have been inundated with calls about termites. Termites are at their peak of activity in the warm summer months although they do stay active year round. The amount of rain we have had this year really helped to increase the number of termite swarms. The only job that swarming termites have is to go out to mate and start new colonies. If you see swarming termites in your area, you need to contact a professional pest control company right away so that a full inspection can be done on your property. Many people confuse a flying ant and a flying termite. It is fairly easy to tell them apart if you know what to look for.

Notice the difference in wing size, body shape and color. Those things are easy to see. Example of termite mud tubes

The evidence that termites leave behind is very distinctive. They make tunnels that are called mud tubes. These are the tunnels that the termites will travel through.

4 FACTS ABOUT TERMITES

1. They live in colonies underground with as many as 2 million members.
2. A termite colony eats non-stop. 24/7/365.
3. The total weight of all the termites in the world is more than that of all the humans in the world.
4. Termites not only eat wood, but wallpaper, plastics and fabric made from plants.

4 WAYS TO HELP PREVENT TERMITES

1. Because termites thrive on moisture it is important to keep water accumulation away from your homes foundation.
2. Store firewood at least 20 feet away from the home.
3. Keep mulch at least 15 inches from the foundation.
4. Reduce humidity inside the home by properly ventilating crawl spaces, attics and basements. This will help prevent termite swarms.

Once you have a termite infestation, treatments can be very expensive but they are effective. There are two main types of treatments. One involves placing bait in stations around the perimeter of the home and garage. The other uses a liquid that is placed around the foundation of the home. If your property requires a service, both options will be explained to you and the individual prices will be quoted.

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