Spring is the perfect season to house hunt. Termites feel the same way. That’s when colonies send out its best reproducers to see what’s available. Termite swarming season is generally in April or May, but milder temperatures early in the season could have these pests on the move for a new home and food supply ahead of schedule. Be prepared to guard against the ravages termites can wreak on homes.

According to Orkin, Termites pose a problem nationwide. Termites are most active when temperatures are above 60 degrees, but cold weather doesn’t kill them. Most homes, typically regardless of construction type, are vulnerable to termite attack, as termites can enter homes through cracks as tiny as 1/32 of an inch. It can be difficult to tell if you have a termite problem, since termites eat wood from the inside out. Depending on the species and location, an average lot surrounding a home can support three to four termite colonies, which vary in size from thousands to millions of termites.

Robert Soileau, branch manager for J&J Exterminating, has already seen a Formosan termite swarm at his place in Moss Bluff. But he’s no alarmist.

“Natives usually swarm before Formosans, but it’s not too unusual to see signs early in the year in this area,” he said. “Moss Bluff is a hot spot because of all the water. Generally termites swarm around Mother’s Day.”

How should homeowners react to swarming termites or finding a few of these abhorred winged creatures in the tub or sink?

Termites can cause billions of dollars worth of damage to homes, commercial buildings, forest timber, landscape trees that aren’t healthy and even boats every year, according to the USDA.

Repairing termite damage to structures can be costly.

Chris Pumpelly of Alamo Pest Control said that homeowners should take advantage of the free inspection service offered by local pest control companies.

Southwest Louisiana is plagued by native and Formosan subterranean termites. Compared to the brownish copper colored Formosan termite, the native termite is dark brown to black. It is smaller. The swarms are smaller, and the native subterranean termites swarm mainly during the day when people are at school or work.

“… unless there is an infestation,” Soileau said. “In that case, people could find a bunch in their house when they get home.”

Formosan termites can measure up to one-half to five-eighths of an inch in length. They swarm at night and are attracted to light. Unlike winged ants, Formosan swarmers have straight antennaes and equal length front and hind wings.

Soileau said that even though Formosans are subterranean, they can attack by air and water. They don’t have to tunnel up. They can fly to rotting eaves or begin a colony in rotted material in stopped-up gutters, for instance. Formosans can survive and start a colony with less moisture. Soileau said his company has treated many infested boats. An LSUAg story notes that Formosans build nests in trees in or near water and can travel in water.

Formosan colonies are often 10 times larger than those of other subterranean species. They are able to cause damage at an accelerated rate.

After 28 years in the pest control business, Soileau considers the question homeowners should ask is not if they’ll get termites, but when.

Poor home construction methods, the abundance of waterways and unmaintained properties are especially susceptible to termite infestation.

The guys buzzing about with wings aren’t the problem. With termites, it’s definitely a case of what you can’t see really can hurt you.

The Termite Infestation Map was developed by the U.S. Forest Service originally to inform homeowners regarding the danger of infestation. Now it’s used to determine the risk and actions necessary as a requirement for guaranteeing mortgages.

Conventional mortgage lenders, called mortgagees, also use the TIP Zones as underwriting standards that are usually similar to HUD’s.

Parts of Texas, all of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina are highlighted and the area of probability labeled as very heavy.

(MGNonline)