KEEPING YOUR HOME TERMITE-FREE THIS SPRING

Although it would be nice if there was, there is no such thing as termite season. Termites are a year-round problem and, because of that, it’s important to be on the lookout for the signs of them no matter what season we find ourselves in. Considering the extensive damage termites can cause, keeping your New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, or Eastern Shore of Maryland home termite-free this spring is definitely in your best interest.

Termite Swarmers

Termites are hard to detect no matter what time of year it is, but the spring typically offers one sign that you might not see at any other time of year: termite swarmers. Termite swarmers are the reproductive members of a termite colony. Each year, usually in the spring, these winged insects come out in the open to mate. Once they mate, they shed their wings and establish a new colony.

If you see winged termites or a pile of discarded wings near your home, it is a sure sign that there is a termite colony nearby and that more are about to be established. If you find them in your house, it means you already have a termite infestation in your house and it’s about to get worse. If you find termite swarmers or their discarded wings, it is vital to get a professional pest control expert to your house as soon as possible.

Ways to Prevent Termites

It is important to note that the absence of termite swarmers around your property does not automatically mean your home is free of termites. Whether you are truly concerned that termites have invaded your home or you just want to protect your property, it is best to take the following preventative measures. 

• Reduce moisture on your property. Termites prefer water-damaged wood. If your property has low-moisture levels, the chances of water-damaged wood decrease.
• Repair or replace all water-damaged wood. If you find wood beams or planks that have rot or other signs of moisture, fix or replace them immediately.
• Take care of wood on your property. Keep wood piles away from your house and in an area where they won’t get wet. Remove dead trees and fallen branches.
• Keep soil and mulch to a minimum. Any place that wood comes in contact with soil or mulch is an area that will succumb to moisture faster. By limiting these organic materials on your property, you’ll lessen the chances of a termite invasion.
• Most importantly, install a system that protects against termites 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The best way to deal with termites is to make sure they never get into your home in the first place. The most effective way to do this is with the Sentricon® System with Always Active. Viking Pest Control is an authorized operator of Sentricon® with Always Active™, which is an eco-friendly, termite baiting system that will eliminate all active termite colonies and prevent future ones from forming.

Don’t leave a termite infestation to chance this spring. Protect your NJ, PA, MD, or DE home by taking the proper precautions. Give Viking Pest Control a call for more information about our termite control options.

Call Viking at 800-618-2847 to learn more about termite pest control and extermination services, or get a fast, free quote online today!