Unless you know what to watch for, the earliest signs of a termite colony in St. Louis could pass you by. Then, by the time you realize that a termite population is there, it may already be too late to avoid the serious damage termites cause. That's why every property owner should learn how to identify and prevent a termite infestation.
Termite Season: What You Need To Know To Survive Termite Season In St. Louis
Like most pests, termites have a time of year when they are known to be most active. During the spring and early summer, termite season is upon us. It refers to the time when termite swarmers, also called alates, fly to other areas to form new termite colonies. Swarmers, as you could probably guess from that description, are flying termites. In fact, they are the only type of termite that has wings. They shed them once they've found a suitable yard or property to begin forming tunnels in. Once they shed their wings, they set about laying the thousands of eggs that will populate the new colony. That's why it's important to know how to spot the signs of termite swarmers around your property. Early action and elimination can nip the problem in the bud before it has a chance to grow into a serious hazard.
How & Where To Find Swarmers
Termite swarmers look for yards or structures with easily accessible wood. They often won't go directly for the wood sources, instead choosing patches of loose soil nearby to start cranking out termites that will, in turn, build tunnels toward these sources of wood. That's why it's important to understand the factors around your yard that most attract termite swarmers:
- Moisture: Many pests are attracted to moist areas because even bugs need water to survive. Additionally, some termites specifically target damp wood.
- Light: Termite swarmers are often attracted to light as well, so you might see them fluttering around street lights, porch lights, or windows.
- Wood: Obviously, pests that eat through wood will be attracted to areas of a property where it can be found in abundance. Even yards without lots of trees or firewood around can be targeted, either because of subterranean roots or the wooden structures of a home or business itself.
Termite Prevention For Your St. Louis Property
More important than what to watch for is what you can do about it. Unless you keep up on early termite prevention, your chances of an infestation are high. That's why you need to address the following factors around your property:
- Landscaping: Making sure your yard plants don't grow too close to your exterior walls will help prevent termites from going from one target directly to the one you want them attacking the least. Smart yard planning, in general, will keep sources of wood far away from your structures.
- Moisture Control: Since termites are attracted to moisture, it's also essential to address these issues. Proper lawn drainage is important, as well as addressing water damage that may make your exterior walls easier to chew through.
- Crack Sealing: Routinely checking your exterior walls for cracks or holes to fix is a good way to address potential access points before pests can crawl through them and get inside. Keep in mind, however, that termites often burrow in from underground, and you can't easily account for subterranean cracks in the foundation.
Despite your efforts to keep termites out of your home, you will likely still worry about developing a termite problem. For peace of mind, it's best to partner with a termite professional.
Don't Risk Your St. Louis Home, Instead Partner With The Experts At Arenz Pest Management
While spotting the early signs of a termite colony can help you act quickly, the proper course of action to get rid of them promptly is to call on pest control experts. At Arenz Pest Management, we can inspect your yard for you, making sure no signs of termite activity are missed -- as well as the factors around your property that might attract them. If a problem exists, only expert solutions are guaranteed to fully wipe out the population, from the termites eating through your wooden materials to the alates that keep the population growing. Don't wait to act on proper termite control. Contact Arenz Pest Management today.
Tags: termites | termite control | termite prevention |
Call Now To Start Protecting Your Family
Complete the form below to schedule your no obligation inspection.