Termites are pests that live in large colonies and behave very similarly to bees. Like bees, each termite has a job they are responsible for to ensure they keep the colony going. One of the jobs of a termite is a swarmer. The swarmer must leave the colony, find a mate, reproduce, and scout out a new location to build a nest. Swarmers look different than most of the termites in the colony. They are winged with black bodies, which often makes them mistaken for flying ants. Once you see a swarmer on the loose, it is safe to say that the colony they came from has at least a thousand other termites working behind the scenes. McFadden Pest Control considers this a problem that needs our professional attention.
What do you do if you notice a termite swarm?
Before you try to tackle this on your own, call McFadden Pest Control. If you are seeing a swarm, this means you may already have a problem, or the potential of a problem showing up has just gone up.
Immediate steps you can take:
- Contain the space- Termite swarms launch from a single location. This means if you can close off the opening, you can contain the termites rather than them finding a new source of food.
- Create a barrier- Placing rocks around the perimeter of your home creates a more difficult entrance for termites to get through. This is a distraction that could lead termites to pass by your home and on to their next location.
- Turn off outdoor lights- Swarmers are attracted to light. This means that they often swarm during the day or at night if lights are left on outside.
- Get rid of moisture- Termites need water to survive. When there is standing water in your gutters or around your drains, this entices termites to show up to your house.
Termites are not a pest you want around your home. They cause structural damage, and the cost associated with a large problem can be astronomical. Call McFadden Pest Control to take care of any termite issue you think could be swarming around.
Are you interested in learning more about McFadden Pest Control?
Feel free to reach us at 843-763-4533 or info@mcfaddenpestcontrol.com.