What To Do About Termite Swarmers Around Your Alabama Home

What Do Termite Swarmers Look Like?

In the same vein, termite workers are often mistaken for pale-colored ants; termite swarmers are often misidentified as winged ants. It's an easy mistake to make at a passing glance, but there are a few anatomical differences between reproductive ants and termites:

• Winged termites have two pairs of symmetrical wings.
• Winged ants have more defined waists than termites.
• Termites have straight antennae, while ants have elbowed antennae.
• Ants have translucent wings that are slightly brown-tinted; termites have transparent, translucent wings.

Ants are also problematic pests to have around your Alabama property, but unless you're dealing with carpenter ants, they won't inflict the same kind of damage as termites. Termite infestations are dangerous because of the damage they inflict on wood and cellulose-rich materials, so when in doubt, a licensed pest professional will help to identify your pest infestation accurately.

Termite Swarmers Could Be The First Warning Sign

Termite season is the easiest time to spot potential infestations because they travel above-ground to find mates and new places to nest. The first signs of termites you'll notice during termite season is winged termites or the shed wings they leave behind, which look like small translucent scales. Some species of termites infest homes year-round, though, so you'll need to keep an eye out for more than just swarmers and wings:

• Mud tubes that climb up from the base of the foundation.
• Overly squeaky floorboards.
• Windows and doors that are stuck or difficult to open and close.
• Discolored and drooping drywall.
• Wooden fixtures that sound hollow when tapped.
• Pinholes and maze-like patterns in walls, baseboards, and wooden fixtures.
• Small piles of sawdust-like material outside of exit holes.

Active termites aren't immediately costly, but extensive termite damage is noticeable within three to five years. They may be long-term pests, but the destruction they inflict costs homeowners thousands of dollars to repair.

How Long Do Termite Swarms Last?

Typically, a swarm of termites will only last around 30 to 40 minutes, and it usually involves a source of light for them to swarm around. If termite swarmers don't find mates and a good place to nest, they die within a few hours. Swarming season, on the other hand, lasts for a few months, and the time of year they swarm depends on the species. Alabama is home to subterranean and drywood termites; subterranean termite swarming season lasts from March to May, and drywood termite swarming season lasts from June to August.

How Do You Get Rid Of Termite Swarmers?

Dead termite swarmers can be removed easily with a vacuum or broom and dustpan, but you never know if one or two survived and found a suitable nesting area. The best way to get rid of termites and swarmers is effective Alabama pest control. There isn't a more reliable termite control company in Alabama than Harvard Pest control. We provide a thorough inspection of the property to identify activity, damage, and conducive conditions; then, we discuss our treatments options and offer preventative tips for the future. You shouldn't be scared of termites destroying your home, so get in contact with us today to discuss your options.