Yuma Pest Blog
For homeowners, there might be no insect more feared than the termite. This little bug (along with thousands and thousands of his friends) has the ability to take just about any structure and reduce it to piles of sawdust if not found and treated in time. This is why it’s so important to know everything you can about these tiny, destructive critters.
When Are Termites Active?
Most species of termites are more active in warmer months and warmer climates. If you live in Yuma, AZ, though, this can be a problem, as Yuma is pretty warm for most of the year! This doesn’t mean that changes in climate don’t affect them. Once the temperature starts to warm up around March, you can expect to see more termite activity that will last through November.
Yuma is pretty dry, but we do have a rainy season. On average, more rain falls in August than any other month. With this also being one of the hottest months, it’s not hard to realize that August is a particularly dangerous month for your home in the fight against termites.
How Can You Recognize the Signs?
There are many different types of termites, but in general, there are certain signs you should watch out for:
- In the late spring, winged termites will swarm at dusk. Most of these termite species resemble winged ants. If you see these swarms, that means termites are active and looking for new places to start a colony.
- Once the termites find a place, they drop their wings. Finding piles of wings scattered around your home (or worse, in it) is a sure sign that termites are near, if not already inside.
- Once the termites find a place, they drop their wings. Finding piles of wings scattered around your home (or worse, in it) is a sure sign that termites are near, if not already inside.
- Many species of termites dig mud tubes along the foundation. These tubes give termites a safe corridor to move between the ground and the wood in your home.
- Of course, one of the biggest signs is the chewed-up wood that termites leave behind. If your wood becomes brittle, or if it looks like swiss cheese, then that most likely means you have a serious problem.
Contact Us
If you think you might have a termite infestation, or if you want to know what you can do to protect your home from termites before they get in, then you need to call in professional help. Contact us at Yuma Pest today to set up a consultation.