termites Your chances of seeing a termite in person are fairly slim. Your chances of having trouble with these pests around your Richmond property, however, are considerably higher. Fortunately, there is one time of year where these damaging little insects show their hand, and that time is swarming season. If you have never heard of termite swarmers or how much of a bad omen they are, here are a few things you have to know.

What Is A Termite Swarmer?

Termites live in large caste driven societies: workers gather food, soldiers guard against intruders, and kings and queens breed and designate roles to larvae. As colonies grow and approach max capacity, kings and queens will produce a different breed of termite, one designed to leave the colony and establish their own nearby; swarmers. Unlike workers and soldiers, swarmers can survive above the ground for long periods, and also have wings that allow them to fly for short distances. Furthermore, swarmers can reproduce, meaning when they find a place to settle down, all they need is each other to start making more termites.

Are Termites Swarmers Bad?

Termite swarmers themselves are not going to cause massive damage to your property like their colonies will. In all honesty, the biggest direct problem these pests cause comes with the wings they discard around properties. That said, where you find swarmers and their wings around your property says a lot about what potential problems you are facing. If the majority of swarmers are found outdoors, it means there is a colony nearby and that your property could be at risk of a future infestation. However, if the majority of swarmers are found indoors, assume they found their way inside through holes chewed into structural wood by an existing infestation.

How Destructive Are Termites

Termites are the number one wood-destroying pest around the world. In America alone, these pests cost property owners five billion dollars a year. The only thing termites need to cause trouble around your property is a reason to invade, and for you to stay ignorant of their presence long enough for them to fill their bellies. One thing you should know about termites is that they don’t mind sharing a meal. If your home or business has plenty of gatherable wood, termites are likely to establish two, three, or more colonies outside to maximize their harvesting efforts.

Some Ways To Deter Termites

If your property does not currently have termites, use these prevention tips to keep it that way:

Avoid using wood-based mulch around your building’s exterior.
Remove leaf piles, sticks, cardboard, and other cellulose-based items around your property.
Use a caulk gun to seal gaps and cracks in your home or business’s exterior.
Make sure there is a non-wood barrier between structural wood and exterior soil.
Reduce moisture around your property by fixing leaks, repairing gutters, and using a dehumidifier indoors.

To make sure termites stay out of your Richmond home year-round, trust the experts at Pestmaster® Services - Richmond, VA. Our team of dedicated professionals has the advanced equipment and treatments needed to identify, eliminate, and prevent destructive termites.

You don’t even have to decide between affordable and effective. Our plans are designed to meet your needs without breaking the bank. Contact us today to learn more about our comprehensive services and sign your property up for termite control.