Termites can be some of the most difficult pests to encounter because they can go unnoticed until they’ve already done a good deal of damage to your home or business. However, there are some signs you can look out for to catch these pests early.
One of the best ways to prevent a termite problem is to be aware of infestations in your area as well as to know the signs of an infestation. Another important thing is to be aware of the termite season in the Worcester area.
While termites can be active any time of the year, termite season refers to when these pests are most visible. The time of year when termites become most noticeable starts in March and can go into the fall. In cooler climates, termites tend to become more of a problem and more active during the spring.
What Are The Signs Of Termite Season?
The main way to identify that termite season is in full force is to know the signs of termite swarmers. Swarmers are winged termites that have a role in their colonies of reproducing. They are one level of the termite caste system with worker termites and soldier termite being the other levels. During termite season, you’re more likely to see termite swarmers as they come out of their colonies to reproduce.
Here are the signs of termite swarmers:
- Seeing these bugs which can be identified by their large wings and yellow to black color.
- They are attracted to light and often found around window sills.
- You may notice discarded wings if you don't see the bugs themselves.
How To Prevent Termites
If you’ve spotted swarmers outside of your home or building, it is possible that termites haven’t done damage to the building, yet. In these cases, you might be able to prevent termites from becoming too much of a problem. Preventing termites comes down to focusing on three overall methods.
- Remove wood that is touching the foundation or your building as termites tend to come inside through things such as firewood, trees, mulch, and decks.
- Try to reduce the moisture content in your home as termites are attracted to water-damaged wood.
- Get rid of openings where termites can make their way inside.
Here are some specific things you can do to keep these pests out.
- Fix leaky pipes and faucets.
- Use dehumidifiers.
- Remove dead trees, firewood, and mulch from the property.
- Patch up holes in foundations and walls.
While prevention methods can help, they don’t always work, and there’s no way to completely ensure that termites will stay out of a building, even with the best efforts.
Getting Rid Of An Infestation
If you’ve noticed swarmers or their discarded wings inside, or even outside, it’s important to get rid of the infestation right away. The best way to do that is to contact the professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions. Trying to get rid of termites on your own is often ineffective, and not addressing the problem can leave you with thousands of dollars worth of property damage.
Big Blue Bug Solutions has over 80 years of experience getting rid of termites and other pests in Worcester and the surrounding areas. Reach out to us today if you have questions about our termite control options or to schedule service. We will be happy to help!