Spring in the Midwest brings warmer weather, blooming flowers, and unfortunately, increased activity from termites. If you’ve noticed swarms of Flying Termites around your home, it’s essential to understand why this happens and take action to protect your property.

The Reason for the Flying Termites Swarm

Flying termites, also known as swarmers or alates, are reproductive termites on a mission to start new colonies. These winged termites emerge from mature colonies in spring, typically after a period of rain, when conditions are ideal for their dispersal and survival. The swarms you see are part of their mating flights, where they pair up and seek out new locations to establish nests.

Swarms Don’t Always Mean Infestation

While seeing a termite swarm near your home can be alarming, it’s important to remember that it doesn’t automatically mean you have an active infestation. Swarmers are often attracted to light and warmth, and they may simply be flying in from neighboring properties. However, it’s crucial to remain vigilant and carefully inspect your home for other signs of termite activity.  

These signs can be subtle, but they are important indicators of a potential problem.  For example, swarmers shed their wings after finding a mate, so piles of discarded wings near windows or doors can indicate their presence within your home.  Subterranean termites, a common type in the Midwest, build mud tubes to travel between their nests and food sources. 

These tubes, which look like thin lines of dried mud, are often found on foundations, walls, or in crawl spaces.  

Finally, keep an eye out for wood damage. Termites feed on wood, causing damage that may appear as sagging floors, hollow-sounding wood, or blistered paint.  If you notice any of these signs, it’s essential to contact a professional pest control service for a thorough inspection.

Factors That Attract Termites to Your Home

Understanding what attracts termites can help you take preventative measures:

• Moisture: Termites thrive in moist environments. Leaky pipes, poor drainage, and damp crawl spaces can all create ideal conditions for these pests.
• Wood: Termites feed on wood, so any exposed or untreated wood in your home can be a potential food source.
• Warmth: Termites are more active in warmer temperatures, making spring a prime time for infestations.
• Landscaping: Trees, shrubs, and mulch close to your home can provide a pathway for termites to access your foundation.

Protecting Your Home: Professional Help is Key

If you suspect a termite infestation or want to take preventative measures, it’s crucial to contact a professional pest control service. Serving Libertyville, IL, Maple Park, IL, Clinton, IA, La Valle, WI, Springfield, IL, Sycamore, IL, Barrington, IL, Delavan, WI, and the surrounding areas, Pest Control Consultants (PCC) can:

• Inspect your property: Thoroughly inspect your home to identify signs of termite activity and assess the extent of any infestation.
• Develop a customized treatment plan: Implement targeted treatments to eliminate existing termite colonies and prevent future infestations.
• Provide ongoing prevention: Offer advice and solutions for long-term termite protection, including moisture control and landscaping recommendations.

Conclusion

Termite swarms in spring are a reminder of the importance of vigilance and proactive pest control. Don’t wait for signs of damage to appear. 

Contact us today for a comprehensive termite inspection and customized solutions to protect your Midwest home from these destructive pests.