In Cedar Park, termites can be a problem that you have to deal with all year long. However, in the spring, some members of a termite colony will fly around to look for a new place to start a new nest.
At Green Pest Guys, we are a locally-owned and operated company. Our experienced Cedar Park pest control specialists know how the climate and other factors affect the different termites in this area. Keep reading to learn what you should do if you see flying termites around your Texas home.
How To Identify A Flying Termite
Flying termites are sometimes mistaken for flying ants. While these two bugs can look similar when they have a pair of wings on their back, a few noticeable differences will help you tell them apart.
A winged ant has a segmented body with a narrow area between the thorax and the abdomen. They also have two curved antennae and two sets of wings. The ant's front wings are slightly longer than its back wings.
Termites in Cedar Park have straight bodies and two long, straight antennae. They also have two sets of wings, but their back wings are the same size as their front wings. Another thing that differentiates the swarmer termite from the flying carpenter ant is their behavior. Usually, you will only see swarmer termites in the spring to early summer. However, flying ants can be active all year long.
What It Means If You're Seeing Flying Termites On Your Property
Flying termites are part of the reproductive group of termites. Their main goal is to reproduce. Only one king and queen can be responsible for reproduction in a termite colony. When another reproductive termite gets ready to reproduce, it will fly away from its current nest to look for a place to start a new colony. Once they have mated, the two swarmer termites will become their colony's new queen and king.
Flying termites, also known as alates, are not able to fly very far. They usually only travel 100 to 300 yards away from their original colony. If you see flying termites around your home, it could mean that not only are termites trying to start a new colony on your property, but there is also an existing termite colony nearby.
Five Practical Termite Prevention Tips For Homes
If you want to keep termites away from your home, some of the things that you can try include:
- Cut plants and bushes away from your home.
- Make sure that your gutter systems are working properly and that you have an adequate way to drain water away from your home.
- Remove old limbs, firewood, and other dead wood from your property.
- Try to keep your wooden structures slightly elevated or put them on a foundation to ensure that there is no wood-to-ground contact.
- Seal any crack or small crevice around your home that could be used as a potential entrance.
If you want to make sure that you are not attracting termites to your home, avoid using mulch. Not only is mulch made of wood, but it is able to retain moisture and can create a perfect environment for termites.
Pro Termite Control Offers Lasting Protection For Your Property
Once termites build their colony on your Cedar Park property, they can cause a lot of damage to your home and buildings. At Green Pest Guys, we go above and beyond to ensure that your home and your property are protected. We know how to eliminate all termite species from your property. We will then work with you to come up with a multi-step plan that will help to prevent them from coming back. Give us a call today.