After a rainstorm in California, you hope to gaze upon a rainbow high in the sky, but what you should prepare for is something closer to the ground and far less pleasant.
Those insects with long, translucent wings, often seen flying around in large numbers after rainfall, are swarming termites.
Termite swarms are a major cause for concern for homeowners, a clear sign that a termite colony is nearby—possibly in your very own home. Termites have a dangerous appetite for cellulose and cause billions of dollars in damage each year across the United States, relentlessly chewing through homes.
Why Do Termites Swarm After Rain?
Termite colonies are generally made up of wingless workers and soldiers, and winged, reproductive termites called swarmers (alates).
Subterranean termites nest underground in soil, needing moisture to survive. After rainfall, especially on warm spring days in Southern California, the increased humidity draws a large number of swarmers from their nests.
As they take to the air, the dramatic frenzy of dozens to hundreds, even thousands, of swarming termites is actually their primary strategy for mating and finding new places to burrow, lay eggs, and establish new colonies.
Will Termites Leave On Their Own?
Subterranean termites love the warmth and humidity after rainfall. You may not see any swarmers once the post-rain humidity settles down, but that doesn’t mean that the termites are gone.
Killing or swatting them, or waiting for the moisture to subside won’t fix the root issue. After swarming, the swarmers have either died, found a mate and new nesting place, or returned to their nest—but most of the termites in their colony remain alive and hidden.
Do Swarming Termites Cause Damage?
Swarming termites do not cause damage, but they are part of a colony that contains an army of wingless termites, which are among the most destructive pests in the world.
The goal of swarming is to mate and colonize new territory. As soon as a swarming termite finds a mate, it discards its wings and starts laying eggs. The offspring mature into termites that feed on cellulose inside of wood, compromising the structural integrity of homes and properties.
A mature termite colony may establish a subcolony at any time, quickly reproducing and increasing their numbers at an alarming rate. Outdoor termites can make their way to your home, infiltrating through entryways and the smallest of cracks.
Do I Have A Termite Infestation?
Discarded wings, typically found along windowsills, door frames, or baseboards, are a sign of activity by reproductive termites. If you see mud tubes, droppings (frass), pinholes or bubbling paint on drywall, or soft or hollow-sounding wood, call a professional exterminator immediately.
Why Should I Call A Pest Exterminator?
If you live in California, the risk of a household termite infestation is high. Even if you don’t see visible signs, termites are experts at hiding underground and causing serious damage by quietly tunneling through wood.
Book a termite inspection as soon as you suspect an infestation. Early detection is crucial to stopping termites from multiplying, spreading, and causing extensive, costly damage.
What Is The Most Effective Way To Control Termites?
Termites can be effectively controlled by a combination of different practices and methods.
- Do not ignore signs of termites. Call an exterminator. Inspections and early treatment can save homeowners thousands of dollars and months of headache.
- Annual termite inspections are highly recommended for homes in California, where termites forage year-round. With decades of experience and deep knowledge of pest behavior across all seasons, Natural Science Exterminating inspections go beyond surface-level checks. We identify hidden infestations and potential entry points to ensure comprehensive protection of your home.
- Localized, spot treatments can remove termites if the infestation is contained to a specific area. We have successfully spot treated homes with fragile property and minimized disruption while effectively removing pests in apartments and multi-family complexes.
- Natural, plant-based spot treatments using orange oil may be applied to localized infestations in households of individuals that prioritize environmental consciousness or experience sensitivities to traditional, chemical treatments.
- Tent fumigation is considered a last resort, but offers the most thorough removal for widespread infestations. The sealed and controlled release of a gaseous termiticide kills termites even in the hardest-to-reach places.
- BoraCare is a low-toxicity, borate salt solution that kills and prevents all major termite types, an ideal pest prevention treatment for remodels and new construction homes.
Natural Science Exterminating removes termites of every kind, so you have peace of mind.
Call Us Today: 1-714-451-2890
E-mail: info@naturalscienceexterminating.com
We offer expert termite removal, pest extermination, and pest-proofing in Orange County and Los Angeles County, serving Anaheim, Irvine, Garden Grove, Huntington Beach, Long Beach, and surrounding areas. Call now for fast, reliable service!
