Termites Swarmers Invade Greater Houston Texas
It’s the most wonderful time of the year for subterranean termites! This is the time of year when the reproductive members swarm from their colonies in order to create a new colony of their own! While termites may love this time of year, it is the time of year that the residents in Greater Houston and surrounding areas like Katy, Cypress, and Sugar Land dread! The termite professionals here at Modern Pest Control want you to be prepared this year by helping you understand a bit more about termite swarms, including what they are and what it means if you see evidence of a termite swarm inside or outside your Texas home.
The termite swarm “season” runs from February thru May in Greater Houston. Termites usually swarm from their colony on a warm sunny day after a rainstorm. A swarm starts in a mature colony; mature meaning the colony is well established and more than likely has hundreds of thousands of members in it, if not more. Termite swarms can happen for several reasons, but the most common reasons are overcrowding and lack of food.
The Life Cycle Of A Termite Colony
Subterranean and dry wood termites are the two types of termites in Phoenix homes. Although these two species have different habits, they share the same development cycle.
Termites are social insects that live in large colonies. Inside a termite nest is a king and queen whose sole purpose is to produce new termites. The king and queen began the nest when they flew from another nest, survived the elements and the predators, found a suitable location, and produced eggs.
A few weeks after the eggs are laid, they hatch, and nymphs are born. Termites are insects whose skeleton is outside the body (exoskeleton). This hard covering will not allow maturing nymphs to grow unless they shed it through a process known as molting. The pale-white nymphs or larvae progress through two moltings (instars). After the second molt, the maturing termites become workers in the colony that feed the king, queen, and newborn nymphs. As the larvae mature, they become permanent workers, soldiers, or reproductive termites.
The creamy-white to yellowish workers are the largest segment in a colony. The sterile, sightless, and wingless workers are the termites that eat wood. They consume wood and then regurgitate it to feed developing nymphs, king and queen.
Other nymphs develop into soldiers, making up about two to five percent of the population. As you would guess, these termites protect the colony against ants and other predators. Like workers, soldiers are also sightless and sterile, but they are distinct because of their larger heads and mandibles.
While most nymphs remain as workers and some mature into soldiers, another group becomes capable of reproduction; this group of dark brown termites is called alates. After a heavy spring rain, the alates pair up, leave the nest, and use the wind currents to travel to new nesting locations; the cycle repeats itself in a new area.
If you see termite swarmers around your property, alates are searching for locations to create new nests. Don't allow your Phoenix house to become a new home for termites. Modern Pest Control will stop termites from creating new colonies on your property.
When Are Termite Swarmers Most Active?
Subterranean termites usually nest outside under the ground, but if they have entered your home to feed, they may have decided to create a nest inside your home as well. During the swarming period, winged reproductive members emerge from the colony in order to find a mate and start a new colony of their own. Soon after emerging from the colony the termites will lose their wings. If you are finding piles of wings inside on window sills, in doorways, or have termites crawling on the walls of your home there is a good chance you have termites nesting within the walls of your home.
If you are only finding evidence of a termite swarm outside your home - piles of wings outside underneath windows (they are drawn to light), piles of wings outside on decks or porches, or adults crawling on the exterior walls of your home - it means that termites are likely living on or near your property; but this is still a concern because it is only a matter of time before they decide to look for food sources inside your home.
Whether you saw a termite swarm, found piles of their wings inside, or discovered signs outside your home, one thing is for certain; you need to contact a termite control professional as quickly as possible. Termites are known as “silent destroyers”; and if they are already in your home, they may have been there for weeks or months without your knowledge. Even if they are outside, having termites living on your property is like living with a ticking time bomb! You don’t know when, but at some point, they will infiltrate your Texas home.
How Modern Pest Control Fights Termites
If you are seeing evidence of a termite swarm or if you just want some peace of mind regarding these very destructive pests, contact Modern Pest Control. Our highly trained inspectors will complete a thorough termite inspection at no charge to you. If termites, or evidence of termites, are discovered on your property or in your home, we will recommend an appropriate treatment. At Modern Pest Control, we recommend the following treatment options:
The Sentricon® System with Always Active™. This system is eco-friendly, non-invasive, quickly eliminates the entire colony, and offers continuous property protection from termites.
Termidor; made from a revolutionary new non-repellent or “undetectable” chemical technology treatment. That means termites cannot see, smell, taste, or avoid Termidor. This more traditional termite treatment is very effective and is applied to your property at very low rates.
Don’t ignore a termite swarm on your property. If you are living in Greater Houston, Katy, Cypress, or Sugar Land, contact Modern Pest Control to learn more about our termite prevention and control options!