As the weather warms up, a lot of good things happen. You can start tuning in to baseball, work in your garden, and put away your winter clothes. Unfortunately, there's one huge downside to the warmer weather: termites. The spring is considered termite season, which means you need to protect your property.
What Is Termite Season?
No matter what time of year it might be, you could have termites in your home. Although they might slow down in the cold weather, termites are always around. People refer to the spring as termite season because this is when termites usually become more active and try to reproduce.
A termite swarmer is a large group of winged termites. In April and May, termite swarmers usually take off to reproduce. They don't fly far, but these termites could easily spread from one property to another. Once the termites in the swarmer mate, they lose their wings and colonize the area.
In addition to reproducing in the spring, this season is also the time that Aiken termites become more active. They leave behind evidence of their presence, and you're more likely to notice these unwanted pests. But don't be fooled - termites can save your home every month of the year.
How To Tell If You Have Termites
So, how can you tell that termites have invaded your property? Generally, the first sign of termite presence is a termite swarmer. Seeing a swarmer isn't a guarantee that termites are around, but there's a good chance that you have them nearby. If you don't already have pest prevention, it might be a good time to get started with a termite control program.
Another sign of termites is termite droppings, also known as frass. These pellet-like droppings often look like salt and pepper. At times, you'll find these droppings at the entrance of a termite tunnel.
If you notice any hollow wood, you might have termites. They chew through the inner wood and may leave behind a shell, which gives your wood a hollow sound when you knock on it. Termites also warp wood, which causes your windows or doors to be difficult to open.
All of the following are also evidence of termites:
- Squeaky floors
- Crumbling wood
- Maze patterns in your wood
That said, people usually don’t realize they have termites until it's far too late to prevent damage, as they hide in your walls and can go unnoticed for months. By the time you see termites, you could already have significant property damage.
Do You Suspect Termites?
Whether or not it's termite season, you should be on the lookout for termites 24/7, 365 days a year. Contact a professional for an inspection if you have any reason to believe that termites are around.
Our experts know how to look for termites. They don't just look for the obvious signs; they do a thorough inspection that can identify any termites that are hiding on your property. If they see a termite infestation, our experts can remove the Aiken pests before they afflict thousands of dollars in damage.
Don’t Forget About Termite Protection
As crucial as it is to know the signs of a termite infestation, it's just as important to take measures to keep termites away. While there are some steps you can take on your own to keep termites out, there's no substitute for professional help.
If you don't want your home or business to experience the structural damage that occurs when termites are around, you can call us at Aiken Pest Control. We can protect you before, during, and after termite season.