If you are a citizen of the state of Mississippi, a strange phenomenon has been identified, and this is an urgent call for you to disinfect your homes and buildings. Swarms of termites have been detected in the state, and citizens should ensure they take action because they are spreading throughout the state. Termites are not to be underestimated, as they can cause severe damage very quickly. They have been observed and have made their way into homes and buildings. Termites are known to cause severe damage to homes and buildings; therefore, professionals must be called in to detect and disinfect.
Often when the weather starts warming up, particularly after a rain, the swarm of termites increases, and it is when they mate, according to Santos Portugal, urban entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, in an article by Mississippi State University Extension. Here is everything you need to know before it is too late and your home gets damaged.
A termite Invasion in the Mississippi State unlike any other: What makes this year different?
The Mississippi state seems to have taken a different turn when it comes to the increment of termites. Although the state is known to have them, researchers claim that Formosan subterranean termites have the ability to infest and significantly damage structures much more quickly than native subterranean termites, which has raised an alarming concern because swarming termites destroy and consume wood at a very alarming rate.
Portugal expressed that whenever the weather gets warmer and rainy, they breed even more. That is among the causes for this year’s heightened concern about these insects. Another cause besides the warm weather is the change of construction materials, such as spray foam insulation, which can hide leaks and termite activity, potentially resulting in extensive damage before an infestation is detected.
How these swarming termites look like
Perhaps you are not familiar with the state of Mississippi and need to know if your home or building is also threatened by these insects. According to the Mississippi State University Extension, Formosan subterranean termite swarmers are about one-half inch long, including their wings, and are yellow to golden brown. Native subterranean termite swarmers are smaller and are dark brown to black in comparison.
In certain cases, the only indication of these swarmers is an abundance of wings on places like windowsills since these wings fall off after the swarmers mate. Therefore, whenever it starts getting warmer, that is around springtime towards summer, that is when they come to life. Additionally, Formosan termites typically swarm from early May to early June, so be on the lookout during that period.
Act now! This is what you should do as a home or building owner before it gets bad
Santos Portugal, an urban entomologist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, claimed that if one identifies this swarm of termites indoors, dead or alive, it is time to pick that phone up and bring in the professionals, according to the Mississippi State University Extension. Unfortunately, you cannot do the termite control on your own. Here are a few things you can do to avoid a disastrous occasion:
- Take time to inspect your home and see if you can identify dead or alive termites, be it indoors or outdoors.
- Call a professional termite control company.
- Maintain an annual termite control contract with a recognised and professional company.
The above are just a few guides that can help you keep your home termite-free. There are more ways you can keep your home clean. For instance, removing any moist wood from your home could potentially attract termites and provide a breeding ground for them. Blake Layton, Extension entomologist, also noted that not all companies cover Formosan subterranean termites in their contracts, so it is important to understand what is outlined in any agreement before committing. If you are not very sure, you can read the full details about precautions and prevention from the Mississippi State Extension Service’s official statement.
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