Homeowners beware: termite swarming season

Spring season not only brings rising temperatures and flowers, but also swarming season for local species of termites.

Central Texas homeowners should prepare themselves for the annual influx of these wood-destroying insects, said Amber Bushman of the Austin-based Reliant Pest Management.

Native Eastern subterranean termites, dampwood termites and Formosan termites are the main species to be aware of this season, according to Bushman.

The early spr ing swarming Native Eastern subterranean termites are known to emerge when temperatures stay above 70 degrees and often follow rain. These termites are also particularly active during daytime.

Formoson subterranean termites are particularly destructive due to their large swarm sizes, several times greater than their counterparts. The species tends to swarm in late spring, typically at night, and have the potential to cause significant home damage.

Dampwood termites swarm during the late summer months and, as their name implies, prefer to inhabit damper wooden areas.

To help identify these species apart from ants, look for a consistent, oval-shaped body, opposed to an ant’s body that is pinched between the chest and thorax/ abdomen. Additionally, termites have four wings of equal length, while ants’ front wings are longer than the back.

Environmental factors play a significant role in pest populations, making it difficult to predict termite activity each year. Because of this, it’s crucial for homeowners to remain vigilant, especially during swarming seasons, to minimize the potential for costly structural damage, added Bushman.

If spotted within the home, it’s advised to act immediately and contact a pest removal professional.