SPRING AND TERMITES: HOW ARE THEY RELATED?

termite swarms in kansas city

Spring is just around the corner, and the first signs of termites will soon be evident. Be on the lookout for termite swarms. Why does this happen? As temperatures begin to warm with the onset of spring, so too does the rain. This warmer temperatures and moisture combination are perfect for termites’ emergence as they begin their nuptial flight. Yes, swarming termites are venturing out to meet up with other colonies and expand their territory through mating. This generally only happens during the spring with the Eastern subterranean termites, “Reticulitermes flavipes.” This type of termite is the most common species in the Kansas City area.

I’ve discovered a termite swarm in my home – how long have they been there?

It takes about five to seven years for a typical colony to go from having a King and Queen termite to becoming a colony large enough to swarm. So, if this is the first termite swarm in your home, the colony has been around five to seven years. This does not mean that damage has occurred in or around your home for that long. Once termites have discovered a food source – YOUR HOME – they look for nearby food sources. In this way, they establish ten to twenty new food sources.

Should I ignore termite swarms in Kansas City?

Ignoring a termite swarm can lead to extensive and costly damage that your homeowner’s insurance policy does not typically cover. Termites cost Americans at least five billion dollars yearly and cause more damage than fires and floods.

Once you discover you have termites, take quick action. Targeting termites using the proper techniques and safe, effective measures is critical in any termite control program. Getting the termite problem treated by a professional is your best defense. Using a professional pest management company ensures that the job is being done correctly.

What can I do to help prevent termites?

Termite swarms in kansas city

Termite inspection kansas city

Having a professional pest management company perform a complete termite inspection is crucial. The assessment is important before any treatment is recommended. Termites may just be swarming out of one place in your home but could be affecting multiple areas. The only way to know the extent of your infestation is to have a professional termite inspection.

The inspector will check around your home for places attractive to termites, like stacked firewood or leaky exterior faucets. House-to-ground contact is also an entry point for termites. In some cases, grading may need to be corrected. In addition to performing an exterior inspection, a professional will examine the inside of your house. Your inspector will look at all areas of your home, including your rafters, sill plate, floor joist, and subflooring. These are all potential points of entry for termites.

Sentricon: “Death to the Queen!”

Termite swarms in Kansas City

Sentricon ZipZap Termite Pest Control

Sentricon is a safe and effective way to control termites around your home. It is a process by which stations are placed strategically around your house to lessen termites’ threat. It eliminates the need to pump hundreds of gallons of insecticide into the ground, making it environmentally friendly. Also, it is safe for children and pets to be around. And, the biggest advantage…SENTRICON WORKS!

termite swarms in kansas city

Other advantages of using Sentricon include no drill holes in your concrete, no trenching your yard, and no disrupting the landscape around your home. Sentricon is installed around your home approximately every ten feet. Generic termite bait is immediately available to a homeowner. However, Sentricon is only available for installation by a Certified Sentricon Specialist (CSS).

Jeffery Preece:

Board Certified Entomologist

Pest Control Company Kansas City

This article was written by Jeffery Preece, a board-certified entomologist and Public Health Entomology Certificate Holder, who serves as the current technical director at ZipZap Termite & Pest Control in Kansas City. Jeff started his pest control career in Arizona with his father in 1985. He became a board-certified entomologist with the Entomological Society of America in 2005. Jeff now works with his wife and three children at ZipZap Termite & Pest Control in Lawson, MO.

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ZipZap Termite & Pest Control

Jeff is a Board Certified Entomologist (BCE) and a Public Health Entomology Certificate Holder (PHE). He has worked in the pest control industry since 1985.

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