Here in North Texas, everybody knows we don’t really have a “bug season.” We don’t have that many days below freezing around here, so pretty much every season is bug season. That means we’re under a lot of pest pressure throughout the year, and this is true of termites as well. If you’ve ever heard of a termite swarm or a termite season but didn’t really know what that meant, don’t worry; we’ll explain it all below.
So What Exactly Is Termite Season Anyway?
Since termites live in highly sheltered nests, their actual colonies are active all year. That means when you hear the term “termite season,” what’s likely being talked about is swarming season. During a swarm, a mature termite colony sends out winged, reproducing adults called alates to mate and create new nests close-by.
Swarming season occurs in late spring and early summer, when there’s no chance the flying alates can be killed by frost, but they still have plenty of time to mate and find new nesting sites before the next winter. The months of termite swarming season varies depending on when the last frost of spring and next frost of fall will occur in a given area. Here in Texas, the swarming season can last a long time – really the majority of the year, meaning we don’t get much of a break from these destructive devils trying to tunnel their way into our homes.
Swarmers And Other Termite Signs
Swarms are just one sign of termites, though they’re likely to be the first sign you notice. Only mature colonies send out alates, and alates never fly very far before mating. So if you see swarming alates, it’s a sure sign you’d better start looking for an established nest on your property. Other signs of a termite nest include:
- Frass: sawdust termites create when they chew and digest wood
- Peeling paint that looks water-damaged
- Buckled floorboards, sagging ceilings, and bulging walls
- Doors and windows that won’t close or open
- Pinpoint holes in drywall
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Averting The Alates
Termites are a lot easier to prevent than they are to get rid of, and there are plenty of things you can do to discourage them from nesting on your property:
- Remove decayed or dead wooden debris from your property.
- Varnish or paint exposed wood like decks, stairs, railing, etc.
- Make sure there’s no moisture on your property like standing water from leaky pipes or clogged gutters.
- Repair damaged or rotten wood around your home, including bad decking, support beams, window/door frames, etc.
- Keep at least a foot of space between your home and all shrubbery, tree branches, and mulch.
Unfortunately, if termites want in, they’ll get in – no matter how many prevention measures you use to stop them. What’s worse is they’re one of the most difficult pests to eradicate. This is because they’re both prolific and stealth breeders, flying under the radar until their colony is mature and sending out swarms you may never see. By the time you realize there’s a problem, you could have a mature colony as well as several satellite nests all over your home. A lot of times when you finally notice termites, the damage they’ve done may already be severe.
That’s why you’ll need expert help. Here at Adams Exterminating Company, we’ve been in the business of pests since 1947! We’ve got the technology and the decades of experience to terminate those termites for good. So if you’re noticing worrisome signs of infestation, don’t wait until the damage in your Frisco home is irreparable. Give us a call at (940) 239-9786 or visit our contact page to schedule your termite inspection today.