Preventing Flying Termites in Your Home

Spring is welcomed by most of us here in Tennessee. Unfortunately, spring is also the time when insects of all types become more active after the winter. Worst of all, springtime is when termites begin to swarm. Flying termites, often confused for carpenter ants, will reproduce and swarm to form new colonies in new areas. This makes it imperative to be on the lookout for termite activity in the coming months.

At The Bug Man, we know how distressing a termite problem is for any property owner. Our experts are here to share everything you need to know to prevent flying termites in your home.

What Are Flying Termites?

Flying termites are the reproductive caste of termites and are also known as “swarmers” or “alates”. These termites leave their colonies in the spring and swarm until they find a new area, reproduce, and start a new colony. Flying termites can indicate an infestation around your home, so you should know how to identify them. Swarmers are black to brown in color and measure 3/8 inches long including the wings. They have translucent or slightly milky or smoky wings. These wings may overlap and are typically as long as or slightly longer than the body.

Swarmers invade structures during spring, particularly around basement windows, doorways, porches, and anywhere wood comes into contact with soil. A termite infestation can cause severe damage to your home before you realize it. This is why preventative measures should be taken in order to keep them from showing up in the first place.

5 Tips to Keep Termite Swarmers Away

Every spring here in Tennessee, it’s important to be on the lookout for termites. Thankfully, there are several things you can do to help prevent flying termites:

• Routinely clean your yard of any rotting wood, trees, etc. Ensure your porch or deck is maintained.
• Keep all mulch away from the foundation of your home.
• Store all firewood above ground and away from the perimeter of your property.
• Repair issues with your plumbing to avoid any leaks or moisture that could attract termites.
• Work with a professional termite control expert to implement treatments that repel termites.

Preventing Flying Termites in Central TN

If you notice signs of termite swarmers or think you already have an active infestation, it’s time to contact your local termite control experts at The Bug Man. With regular inspections and preventative treatments, you can rest assured knowing swarmers won’t invade your property this spring.

Contact us today to get started!