What are effective forms of flying termite treatment?

Around this time every year, home and business owners start getting concerned about termites – and for good reason. After all, even though these wood-eating insects are active during every season, they slow down through the winter, which means they’re now beginning to become more active again. It won’t take long for termites in your home or business to become a big problem.

A lot of people become alarmed when they see a flying termite, even though they may not immediately realize the ramifications of such a sighting. It’s important you understand what this means, the dangers of these bugs, and what type of effective flying termite treatment and termite control is available.

VIPs of a Termite Colony

If you see a flying termite, then you’re basically in the presence of royalty. Winged termites are the VIPs of a colony because they’re the ones that get it all set up. That being said, even though these winged insects are there to start a new termite colony, spotting them is typically a sign that an infestation is already underway. This means flying termite treatment is necessary right away to prevent the problem from getting worse.

Dangers of Flying Termites

Once flying termites have set up a colony, these small insects will begin eating any source of wood they can find and will soon lead to a termite infestation. Termite damage to your home or business will often run you thousands of dollars for repair of structures and wooden items. Established colonies have even been known to do so much damage to a home that it’s deemed unlivable until repairs can be made, while businesses have been known to require a temporary closure.

Identifying Flying Termites

There are many different types of winged insects, but winged ants are the ones that get confused with winged termites most often. Luckily, they’re easy to differentiate as long as you know what to look for. There are three aspects to a flying termite’s appearance that you can focus on:

• Antennae — A termite’s antennae are always straight whereas an ant’s antennae are bent.
• Waist Shape — A termite’s waist is straight and maintains its shape while an ant’s gets thinner.
• Wing Length — All four of a termite’s wings are the same size, but ants have two different wing lengths.

Signs of Flying Termites

Before considering a flying termite treatment, you need to figure out if you have an infestation. The good news is that termites leave several signs of their presence:

• Mud Tubes — Termites will construct mud tubes as a way to get around. Keep in mind that they often look like a wasp build, so be sure to check them out carefully.
• Droppings — As with all creatures, termites leave behind feces. A termite’s feces is called frass and a pile of it will have the appearance of sawdust.
• Hollow Wood — As wood is devoured by the termites, it will have a hollow sound when you knock on it. This is one of the most obvious.
• Chatter — Many people don’t realize that you can hear termites communicating with each other inside the wood. This has been described as “head banging” and also sounds like sizzling bacon with a bit of white noise added in.
• Wood Shavings — Termites love to ingest wood, but they’re also messy eaters. It’s very common for wood shavings to be found at the base of walls and in other locations.
• Wood Damage — Another obvious sign of a termite presence is damaged wood. This can either be somewhere in your primary property structure or in dead wood outside.
• Paint Bubbles — As termites eat wood, it will often cause bubbles in your paint. In addition to bubbling, you may also discover paint that is peeling off the walls.

Dealing with Flying Termites

Turning to a do-it-yourself flying termite treatment, whether it includes chemicals or organic components, simply won’t work. All you’ll really be doing is prolonging the infestation and making matters worse. Once you see any signs of termites, it’s imperative that you call a professional pest control company with experience in handling termite infestations. They will ensure that the entire termite colony is eradicated promptly so that damage can immediately stop.

Preventing More Flying Termites

Following a termite infestation, you’ll want to take steps to prevent one from happening again. The primary way to do this is a process called trenching, where termiticide is applied to the perimeters around your home, usually at its base. Instead of attempting to repel the termites, they will try to cross this trench and succumb to the chemicals while also taking residual chemicals back to the nest. This process can be quite difficult, so it’s always best to let a professional pest control company handle it.

How to Avoid Termites Right Now

There’s no reason to wait for an infestation to occur before taking action. By being proactive, you can avoid huge costs of repair, not to mention a good deal of inconvenience. Although the use of a professional for trenching is the best way to avoid a termite infestation, you can also keep them away from your home by following these quick tips:

• Move Wood off the Ground — Termites will be attracted to any wood that’s near your home, but only if they can reach it. Keeping wood off the ground will help keep them away.
• Move Wood Away from Walls — If you have any wood stacked up outside, never have it up against your wall. If termites get into the wood, their next stop will be your home.
• Eliminate Outside Moisture — While many other pests, termites are attracted to sources of water. To avoid this, clean up any standing water, especially after its rained.
• Seal Gaps and Cracks — Termites are small, which means they can easily fit through small cracks or gaps in your foundation and walls. Seal them with caulk, spray foam, or weatherstripping.

Contact ProHealth Pest Control for an Effective Flying Termite Treatment

ProHealth Pest Control has spent many years learning the best techniques to provide effective, organic pest control services. If you require termite control in Clearwater, FL or have problems with ants, cockroaches, spiders, rodents, mosquitoes, bed bugs, or other pests, reach out by calling (727) 310-052 to schedule a free consultation!