Believe it or not, it’s termite season once again. The holidays are behind us and the summer is still out of reach, but the nasty bugs that wreck properties all over the U.S. are beginning their annual campaign of destruction. It’s time for Termite Awareness Week in Houston and this year, we’re inviting you to learn all that you can about America’s most destructive pest.
What’s Termite Awareness Week?
Termite Awareness Week is a yearly event occurring just before the first full week of spring, just as termites are at their most active. This year, Termite Awareness Week runs from March 7-13.
Termite Awareness Week was created by the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) to help educate and inform Americans about the hazards of termite damage. Since 2011, this holiday has encouraged homeowners to inspect their property for signs of termite activity and take proactive measures necessary to protect their property.
Why would NPMA declare a week-long holiday dedicated to termite awareness? Because termites are some of the most common, yet most dangerous pests around.
Why Are Termites Dangerous?
Termites are masters of destruction. A single colony can have hundreds of thousands of individuals with some termite queens able to lay up to 30,000 eggs per day. Termite workers are relentless and will feed nonstop, 24/7. And while one termite alone doesn’t stand to do much damage, thousands of feeding termites can be an absolute disaster for your property.
If left unchecked, a colony of termites can cause severe damage. Termites have been known to cause the drywall to sag and wallpaper to bubble, but in extreme cases, termites can cause floors and walls to completely collapse. Every year, U.S. homeowners spend approximately $5 billion in termite repairs, but with a little awareness and education, much of that damage is preventable.
Keeping An Eye Out For Termites
Once a termite infestation takes root, it can be almost impossible to get rid of without professional intervention. So, the best thing you can do is to look for the signs of termites on your property. And around this time of year, termite swarmers are at their peak.
As a termite colony reaches capacity, winged reproductive termites called alates or “swarmers” are sent out to breed and form new colonies. These swarmers only appear under certain conditions but are commonly found at the beginning of spring. The presence of termite swarmers on your property is the first surefire sign of a problem.
Swarming termites aren’t very good flyers and can’t travel large distances like bees, wasps, or other winged insects. So, the sight of termite swarmers indicates that there is an existing large presence of termites nearby — meaning that termites could already be destroying your property without your knowledge.
In warmer climates, termite swarmers can appear at almost any time of the year, so it’s important to stay vigilant. Besides swarming termites, there are other signs of an infestation that you should look out for:
- Termite tubes – If you notice long mud tubes running along the foundation of your property, it’s a sign of subterranean termites.
- Termite pellets (frass) – Small piles of grainy, wood-colored particles are left by drywood termites as they feed.
- Interior damage – Maze-like patterns in floorboard and furniture, drooping drywall, and bubbling paint that resembles water damage can all be attributed to termites.
- Wood damage – Any crumbling wood or wood that sounds hollow when tapped can be signs of termite activity.
The best thing you can do to protect your property from termites is to be aware of the threat. At White Knight Pest Control, we can provide you with a thorough inspection to check for termites on your property. Should we detect termite activity, we will work with you to eliminate the problem at the source. Call us today to schedule your annual termite inspection.