Subterranean termites will begin to swarm as the summer starts to amp up, particularly in the months of June and July. These termite swarms are on the lookout for new nest locations, and noticing them on your property means that there is either a nest nearby, or that there will be one very soon.
Subterranean termites, also known as Formosan termites, have their origins in Asia, and they reached South Africa in the 1950s. Just 10 years later, they were in Texas, South Carolina and Louisiana. By the time that the 1980s rolled around, the subterranean termites reached Florida, and expanded throughout the US.
So why do you have a subterranean infestation? Well, you have it because your home has wood in it. That and the termites managed to find a crack in the walls or foundation of the home. Subterranean termites live in large underground colonies and they spread out looking for food sources (mostly wood). When they reach the edge of your home, they thoroughly explore the surface looking for an entry point. Once they find it, they will build mud tunnels above the ground until they reach a wooden structure. From there, they spread to any other connected wood in the home.
Drywood termites are different. They do not need to stay in the soil in order to travel around and look for a place to land. This means that they can infest the home from any angle, not just from below. Seeing swarmers from this species is a lot more alarming, because they can just land on wood, burrow inside it, and start building the colony.
Both species have a lot in common, in that they look for environments that have plenty of moisture, food and warmth. They also prefer wood for their diet, but they will settle for other materials that contain cellulose, such as cardboard and paper. If you can deprive these species of one or more of their needs, you can prevent an infestation much easier. You also need regular inspections in order to ensure that you catch an infestation early on. A pest control specialist will test the wood in the home for infestation, along with any weaknesses in your prevention methods. If you would like to schedule a termite inspection, or if you believe that there is an infestation in your home, contact us today.
