Termites Taking Homes By "Swarm"

Tuesday, March 1, 2005

(NAPSA)—Each year, thousands upon thousands of homeownerssee large swarmsof winged termites inside or around their homes. These are reproductive termites, leaving their homecolonies to mate and begin building new colonies—in an attempt to take a home by “swarm.” This behavior, known as swarming, is the most obvioussign of a termite problem. Termite swarming is primar- ily triggered by temperature and moisture. While different termite species swarm at different times of the year, in general, peak swarming occurs as early as February in warmer southern climates. Swarming in northern climates usually takes place as the weather warms up during March, April and May. Homeowners in southern states may also experience fall swarming in October or November. The National Pest Management Association estimates that termites cause $2.5 billion in property damage annually. There are two main types of termites: subterranean and drywood. Subterranean termites—found throughout the country—cause approximately 90 percent of the termite damage in the U.S. Drywood termites are found primarily in California, Florida, Arizona, Hawaii and coastal regions. What You Can Do All homeowners should request an annual termite inspection from a pest managementprofessional, but in the meantime, they can watch for signs of termite activity. In addition to keeping an eye out for “swarmers,” here’s what to look for: Termite mud tubes. These tubes are normally about % inch wide or more and can extend across a variety of surfaces such as concrete, treated lumber,brick, stucco and even metal. Damaged wood.Asthey con- sume wood, termites hollow out the inside to form galleries. You can detect galleries by tapping on the wood with a screwdriver. A dull, hollow sound indicates the possibility of hidden termite damage. Termites or wings. Termites are small whitish insects that will quickly move away when exposed to light. Dead termites or discarded wings might be found around windows, doors, heating vents or in bathtubs and sinks. If you find any of these signs, contact a pest management pro- fessional immediately. Ask about the Sentricon Termite Colony Elimination System, a proven innovation in termite control that detects and stops termites from attacking homes by eliminating the termite colonies. Then, an authorized pest management professional and the Sentricon System protect the home from other termite colonies through regular monitoring. Homeowners prefer the Sentricon System over other options, such as liquid chemical treatments, because it was designed with families in mind: It’s easier on the environment, using just grams of termite bait to eliminate the colony when and where needed. To learn more about the termite threat or to locate a pest management professional, visit www.signsoftermites.com or call 1-800-352-6776. Trademark of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Always read and follow label directions.

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