[StBernard] Termite swarming season is May through June

[Westley Annis]

Termite swarming season is May through June
Print NOLA Community Submission By NOLA Community Submission 
on May 07, 2014 at 6:58 AM, updated May 07, 2014 at 7:14 AM

The termite swarming season has arrived and knowing what to do about them is
a key in preventing problems. The St. Bernard community has experienced only
small flights of mostly native subterranean termites so far. They swarm
during the day and are not attracted to light very much.

On the other hand, there will be larger flights of the much more destructive
Formosan subterranean termites, in addition to small flights of native
subterranean termites from May through June.

Formosan subterranean termites swarm from dusk through early morning and are
attracted to lights. The more destructive Formosan subterranean termites
were imported into New Orleans and other coastal Louisiana towns after World
War II. Now they are spreading to even more areas of the state.

Swarming is a means by which sexually mature adult termites move out of a

colony that has become overcrowded and/or lack adequate food. During this
season, the insects become "swarmers" by developing wings and taking flight,
particularly on warm, calm days.

The size and age of a colony are indicated by the size of the swarm. The
purpose of the swarmers is to mate and start a new colony, but relatively
few of the swarmers can survive to successfully find a mate and a suitable
place to start a colony.

Swarmers themselves do not cause damage to structures. Their offspring are
responsible for this, and over 90 percent of swarmers fall prey to birds and
other predators before being able to produce offspring.

People are advised not to waste time trying to spray the swarmers. Instead,
it is better to spend your time inspecting for other signs of an active
colony and termite damage and then taking any appropriate treatment action.

Having termite swarmers in your house means that you may have a termite
problem. Homeowners should inspect frequently for three signs of termite
infestation - swarmers (termites with wings), mud tubes and damaged wood -
and have a pest-control operator do a thorough inspection periodically.

A recent termite treatment may not prevent swarming, because the swarmers
may have already been above the treatment zone in the soil when the
application was performed.

As for dealing with a termite swarm, here are some tips:

Don't panic! Remember, a sudden barrage of these winged termites does not
mean your house will fall into splinters tomorrow.
Make sure the insect is actually a termite swarmer. Many species of ants
will swarm in the springtime, as well, and, because treatment methods differ
between ants and termites, it is important to know the difference. A termite
swarmer has a beaded antenna, a broad waistline and two pairs of similar
wings that they shed after flight. Ants have an elbowed antennae, pinched
waistline, two pairs of dissimilar wings and do not shed wings after flight.
Figure out if the swarmers are emerging inside the house or from outside. If
it is within your house, close off the room in which the termites are
swarming, use a vacuum cleaner to remove swarmers after they have swarmed
and note the exact locations where the swarmers are emerging.

If your house has had a history of termites, find out what company treated
it and if you are entitled to any warranty provisions.

If you have never had any evidence of a termite infestation, this is usually
the first signal a homeowner sees that an active infestation exists. Most
people miss the insects' flight, because the swarmers emerge so fast and
disperse so quickly. Often, the only result people notice is broken wing
parts near windows and doors.

Other tips offered on preventing problems with termites and reducing their
damage are:

Inspect your home frequently for signs of termite infestation, such as
swarmers (termites with wings), mud tubes and damaged wood. If you notice
any evidence of termites, have your home inspected by a licensed pest
control operator. Get more than one opinion and treatment quotation.

Avoid cypress mulch in landscape beds.

Wood-to-ground contact in any type of structure is an invitation for
subterranean termite infestation.

Porches and additions may seem insignificant, but the junction point of
porches and additions is a major point of infestation in many of the homes
inspected. When treating these areas, the pest control operator should take
extra care to make sure that the termiticide is applied to form a continuous
barrier.

Termites cannot eat through solid concrete, but the construction of your
"monolithic slab" home is not impervious. Termites can enter through cracks
in the slab, openings for bathroom traps; where wooden fences join your
home, between the original structure and added rooms, decks or patios, or
where bushes and trees in your landscape make contact with the house.
Traditional termite treatments require the application of a continuous
chemical barrier to the soil around all possible entry points.

Raised houses can be some of the easiest to protect against Formosan
subterranean termites, since to infest a raised structure the termites must
travel up or through the piers or any other objects connecting the building
with the ground. Because the underside of the structure is completely
accessible for inspection, termite infestations can be detected before
serious damage has occurred.

Brick and mortar piers are some of the most difficult to inspect and treat,
because termites can travel through the center of the pier as easily as they
can travel up the exterior. Proper treatment requires that the soil around
each pier be treated by trenching or drilling and that each pier be drilled
and chemicals applied to the holes.

Subterranean termites can use sewage lines, electric conduits and other
lines connecting the house to the ground. The area around these should be
inspected and treated.

Bricks, broken bottles, trash, boards with nails, hypodermic needles and
other debris present problems. While such debris under a house may not
actually lead to termite infestation, it can hinder an inspector from
treating and inspecting properly.

The termite swarming season has arrived and knowing what to do about them is
a key in preventing problems.

For more information contact Alan Vaughn, County Agent, Plaquemines/St.
Bernard Parish, at (504) 433-3664 or (504) 278-4234.