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Does rain mean more termites?

Oh, the dreaded termite! Termites are one of the most notorious pests, and for good reason. Termite damage costs U.S. homeowners roughly $5 billion dollars of damage per year and causes more damage to homes than tornadoes, fires and earthquakes combined.

Termites devour the wood around homes and businesses. Termites can work away for a long time without being noticed. The signs of termite damage include soft wood, doors and windows which do not close properly, mud tubes on the walls and other signatures. Although the termite can cause tremendous damage that end up costing homeowners thousands of dollars for repairs, there are certain factors which help create the right environment for a termite infestation.

Many factors, such as weather, can cause termite infestations to be more rampant than usual. Termites invade homes during dry seasons, but they also love rainfall. If you’re experiencing a rainy season, it’s important to know the signs of termites so you can spot an infestation sooner rather than later.

If you think you have a termite infestation, don't wait! The longer you wait, the more you risk serious and costly damage to your building. Contact your local Western Exterminator office today to discuss our termite solutions and termite treatment methods.

Why is rainfall essential for termite infestations?

white termite

1.  Termite swarmers are winged termites whose main purpose is to reproduce and create new colonies. Dampened soil signals the beginning of the termite reproduction process and makes it easier for termites to dig tunnels in the soil into structures.

2. Termites thrive in environments with moisture, heat and shelter. So after a rainfall, it’s no surprise termites find solace deep in building structures.

This is also why termites are so detrimental to building structures. Because damage is deep within the structure, it’s not always visible to the homeowner. This means termite infestations often go unnoticed for long periods of time and prolong the intervention of termite exterminator services.

3. Rainy seasons are crucial for termites because it makes the wood softer and easier to chew through. Dampwood termites typically infest damp, decaying wood. Dampwood termites typically don’t nest in the soil, so you are likely to find dampwood termite tunnels following the grain in the wood.

Signs of termites after rain

termite wings

There are a number of signs of termites you can look for if you think you may have spotted termites around your home. Just remember, it takes an expert to know for sure and to be able to tell the difference between termites damage, carpenter ant damage and carpenter bee damage. Some of the signs of termites include:

  • iscarded termite wings - once termites fly to a location, they will discard their wings to start creating their colony. Homeowners often find discarded termite wings
  • Spongy floors - termites will start devouring hardwood floors as well as floor joists and beams below the floor. If you step on a spot near where termites have been feeding you might feel the floor give a little or feel "spongy."
  • Doors and windows not closing - was the termites start eating away the wood around a home or business, the doors and windows may no longer close properly. Doors may not shut all the way and the same goes for some windows.
  • Frass - termites will push out the waste material they leave within their nests. Some termites use this to build mud tubes, but some others leave it in piles below the holes they've made. The frass looks a lot like sawdust - but it isn't!

There may be other signs, but it can depend on the species of termite within your home or on your property. This is why it takes experience and training like the Western Exterminator specialists have.

What you can do to prevent termites during the rainy season?

Rainfall and the aftermath of it are often what attract termites. If you’ve experienced flooding, leaky pipes or have standing water on your property, this can attract termites and other pests into your home.

Some ways you can prevent water damage and pest-harboring sites after a major rainfall are:

  • Seal leaks and cracks in roofs, siding, doors, windows and home foundations
  • Investigate areas of flooding and clean it up immediately
  • Monitor leaking faucets, dripping or sweating pipes
  • Test your sump pump once a year
  • Clean your gutters regularly

Termite inspection

The first step in determining what types of termites and what damage has been done is the termite inspection. Western Exterminator specialists can spot the types of termites and determine if the damage you've seen are from some other wood-destroying insects or from termites. Remember, it is required that homes or property for sale often require a real estate termite inspection from a certified professional.

Western Exterminator termite Technicians will find the locations of the termite nests and offer you solutions to effectively remove the termites. Then, Western's specialists offer ways to prevent return infestations.

Expert termite control

If you believe your home has termites, act fast. This will save you time, money and stress! Your local Western Exterminator pest specialists are only a phone call away. For more information on our termite control services, call us at 888-444-6138 or contact us online.

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