Termite swarms in California can cause a lot of damage to your home if left untreated, so it’s important to know how to get rid of them as soon as possible.
The first step is to identify where the termites are coming from, followed by area treatment either with baits or liquid insecticides. There are also chemical treatments known to fully help eradicate swarms.
What Is a Termite Swarm?
A termite swarm is when a large group of termites leave their nest in search of a new place to build their own or when they are in search of food. Swarms usually happen in the springtime.
It’s the time of year when termites are most active and looking for food or mates.
There would noticeably be a large number of flying insects near or around your home. It will typically last for about 30-4o minutes and these insects would be attracted to light, so you may find them near windows or doors.
Some may die in a few hours because of dehydration but once the swarmers have found a mate, they’ll lose their wings and start looking for food sources to start their own colony.
How Would You Know You’re Already Dealing with a Termite Swarm
Since termite swarms can happen both inside and outside of the house, you can easily identify if you already have an infestation or if they just started targeting your home.
If you see a group of insects flying around your home, it’s likely that they’re looking for a place to start their own colony.
If you see them inside your home, it’s likely that they’ve already started to build their nest and are looking for food sources.
Dead swarmers and wings are the aftermath of a termite swarm and are usually found near windows, doors, or any other light source. Other signs would be mud tubes on the exterior of your house or wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
Another sign would be small holes in wood with sawdust-like material around it. You may also find termite droppings or see termites themselves.
You would know that you’re already dealing with a termite swarm if you see these things around your house.
Step-By-Step Guide on How to Get Rid of Termite Swarms
Here are the steps you need to take to get rid of swarms of termites in California:
Step One: Identify Where the Termites Are Coming From
The first step in getting rid of swarms of termites is to identify where they’re coming from. This can be difficult, as termites are small and often hidden in cracks and crevices but once you’ve identified the general area where the termites are coming from, you can move on to step two.
Step Two: Seal the Entry Points
Once you know where the termites are coming from, your next step is to find their entry points. Termites typically enter homes through cracks in the foundation, around doors and windows, or through vents.
You’ll need to seal these entry points to prevent more termites from getting in.
Step Three: Use Baits
Termite baits are designed to slowly kill termites over time, and they’re usually most effective when used in conjunction with other treatment methods.
Termite baits are stakes that you have to insert into the ground around your property. The stakes release a slow-acting insecticide that’s designed to kill termites.
Step Four: Use other chemical treatments
To make termite bites more effective, using other chemical treatments is ideal. These include fumigation and liquid insecticides.
Fumigation is a process where a highly toxic gas is released into the affected area, killing all termites in the vicinity while liquid insecticides are designed to kill on contact, and they can be very effective at eliminating large swarms quickly.
Step Four: Call an Exterminator
If you’re still dealing with swarms of termites after trying these methods, your best bet is to call an exterminator.
Exterminators have access to powerful pesticides and other treatment options that can help get rid of swarms of termites for good.
Step Five: Prevent Future Infestations
Once you’ve gotten rid of your current swarm of termites, it’s important to take steps to prevent future infestations. You can apply a barrier treatment that kills termites even before they enter your home.
Make your home less attractive to termites and make it more difficult for them to establish a new colony.
You may also want to consider having your home regularly inspected for termites to catch any problems early.
Tips on How to Get Rid of Swarms of Termites and Prevent Future Infestations
When swarms of termites start to take over your home, it’s time to take action. There are many tried-and-true methods for getting rid of these pests and preventing future infestations, so it’s important to do thorough research before attempting any treatments on your own.
Insecticides
Apply insecticide to the swarm area. This will kill the termites and help to prevent them from coming back.
Seek Professional Help
Call a professional exterminator. If you have a serious infestation, it may be best to call in a professional. They will be able to get rid of the termites quickly and efficiently.
Destroying the Nest
If you can find the nests where the termites are living, you can destroy them and get rid of the problem at its source.
Removing Food Sources
Termites are attracted to wood and other cellulose-based materials. If you remove these materials from your property, it will discourage the termites from sticking around.
Final Thoughts
These destructive pests can quickly swarm in large numbers, causing significant damage to homes and other structures.
Once you’ve identified the type of termite, you can take steps to eliminate their nest and food source. Ideally, insecticides are the initial step in getting rid of termites, but if the problem persists, it’s best to call in a professional.
With a little bit of effort, you can get rid of swarms of termites and keep your home safe from these destructive pests.
