Termites are known as silent destroyers. These destructive pests are a common problem for homeowners during the summer months due to the warmer weather, increased humidity and other factors that influence their behavior. To protect your home, you need to be aware of their behavior and habits. Here’s a guide to termite behavior in summer and how you can prevent an infestation:
Why Termites are Active
Termites thrive in warm, moist environments, making summer the perfect season for their colonies to grow and spread, potentially into your home. Termites feed more regularly—almost constantly—during the warmer months because the heat speeds up their metabolism, which can also increase their reproductive rates.
The warm days bring summer rain, which brings high moisture and humidity with it, often softening wood and soil and making it easier for termites to forage, tunnel and build their nests. Summer is also peak swarming season for certain termite species, like subterranean termites. When termites are swarming, it means they’re actively looking for new places to establish colonies. Swarming termites have wings and are often mistaken for flying ants. If you spot winged termites near your home, it’s usually a warning sign of an active or nearby infestation.
Signs of Termite Activity in Your Home
Signs of termites are easier to spot when you know what to look for. Discarded wings are often the first clue, left behind by swarmers once they’ve found a new nesting site to establish a colony. Discarded wings are usually found near doors and windows or in attics and basements.
You may also notice mud tubes on exterior walls or your home’s foundation. These small tunnels, designed to protect termites from the elements, are about the diameter of a pencil and allow safe travel between their nest and food sources.
Inside your home, if you tap on the walls and it sounds hollow, notice paint bubbling or see warped floor boards, these are all signs of termite damage. Catching these signs early is critical to stopping an infestation before it spreads any further.
Potential Damage
Termites work silently and steadily, often going unnoticed until severe damage is present. In the summer, their increased activity can accelerate the rate at which they destroy your home. If left unchecked, termites can cause structural damage, including compromising support beams, flooring, drywall and even furniture. Termite infestations can go undetected for months or years and quickly become a major problem, costing thousands of dollars in repairs.
Tips for Preventing an Infestation
For termites, prevention is the best defense. Since termites thrive in humid environments, start by reducing moisture in and around your home. This includes repairing leaking faucets and pipes, ensuring gutters drain properly and ensuring proper ventilation. You can also use dehumidifiers in rooms where termites are known to cause damage, like attics and basements.
Avoid storing firewood directly against or close to the exterior of your home, and ensure wooden structures, like decks and patios, aren’t rotting. Regularly inspect your home to identify potential risks before they turn into full-blown infestations.
How a Professional Pest Control Team Can Help
While DIY preventative steps are helpful, professional pest control offers stronger, longer-lasting protection. Technicians are trained to spot early signs of termite activity and use trusted methods, like baiting systems or soil treatments, to effectively treat infestations. Routine inspections and preventative pest control are essential to keeping your home termite-free all summer long.
Whether you’ve spotted signs of termites or want to stay ahead of an infestation this summer, the Pro-Staff team is here to help with expert treatments and preventative solutions. Learn more about our termite control process here or contact us online for a free inspection.
