This is the time of year when you ‘ll see clusters of insects with wings, swarming in areas such as mulch beds, in cracks in foundations or sidewalks and even near trees.
Most often these insects are flying termites or “swarmers”! They appear and are often the first signs to homeowners that a well-established colony is near.
There are four types of termites, but the termite specific to Virginia is the subterranean termite.
Subterranean termite colonies are always connected to the soil and usually close to a moisture source.
If you notice flying termites in your yard or near your home, and you are not under a termite protection plan, contact a pest control company immediately for a free inspection.
An average colony consists of 60,000 to 250,000 termites and depending on how close they are to your home may mean that they are already in contact with your home’s foundation.
In their search for food (wood/cellulose) and moisture, termites will squeeze through cracks as narrow as 1/32 of an inch to enter your home! Expansion joints, foundation cracks, tiny gaps around plumbing, and service entries are all potential entry points. And once they’re in, undetected termites can mean untold damage.