With spring on the way, we’ll soon start seeing new life everywhere we look. Leaves on trees, buds on flowers, baby birds in nests; t’s a beautiful time of year. Of course, with the good also comes some bad. That’s why you should be on the lookout for swarming termites around Lexington.
What Are Swarming Termites?
Swarming termites are the reproductive members of a termite colony. Every member of a colony has a certain job, and it’s the job of the swarming termites to mate and reproduce.
Termite swarmers are different from the other termites in one major way: They have wings. To the untrained eye, they look very much like flying ants. Their bodies are usually a lighter shade than flying ants and their wings are slightly different, but the differences are minor enough to make it very difficult to distinguish between the two insects.
Why Is It Important To Be On The Lookout For Swarming Termites In The Spring?
As with many animal species, spring is the time of year when termites mate and reproduce. Since termites spend the vast majority of their time hidden underground or within the walls of your home, spring offers one of the only chances for you to see them with your own eyes. This is important as it provides clear confirmation of their presence.
When termite swarmers are ready to reproduce, they come out in the open in a swarm. They’ll find a mate and once the process is complete, they’ll shed their wings and begin a new colony.
If you see a termite swarm or find their discarded wings after they’re gone, you know two things:
- A termite colony is already well-established somewhere nearby.
- New colonies are currently being formed.
Where You Might Find A Termite Swarm
If your Lexington home is already an unwitting host to a termite colony, you’ll find the swarm inside your home, perhaps near a window where the light comes in. If a termite colony has been established in the ground somewhere on your property, you’re likely to find the swarm outside, and it could be anywhere. Termites are attracted to light, however, so they may congregate near a street or porch light.
What To Do If You See A Termite Swarm
If you see a swarm on your Lexington property, you’ll want to call a professional pest control company immediately. Termites on your property will find their way inside your house where they can do serious damage. Even if you don’t see a swarm, preventative action against termites is the best way to ensure you never have to deal with them.
Action Pest Control offers year-round termite protection with our five-step control system. Don’t let termites visit your Lexington home this spring. Give Action Pest Control a call to set up an inspection.