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 are more aggressive than we think. 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 John Riggins, professor of forest entomology in the Mississippi State University Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection, 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 this time around, they have come earlier than usual and are more than usual, which has raised an alarming concern because swarming termites destroy and consume wood at a very alarming rate.
Professor Riggins expressed that whenever the weather gets warmer and rainy, they breed even more. That is the exact cause for this year’s excessive breed of these insects. There has been an increase in humidity and temperatures, probably caused by the ongoing global warming too, that has influenced the breed of these termites. Another cause besides the warm weather is the change of construction materials that have given more breeding leverage.
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, the long, straight, bead-like antennae of Eastern subterranean termite swarmers are black. Their two pairs of translucent white wings, which are equal in length but somewhat longer than their bodies, are their most distinguishing characteristic.
In certain cases, the only indication of these swarmers is an abundance of light-coloured 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, in certain periods, such as late January or February, until June thereabout, lookout for them.
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. It may cost between $1,200 and $1,750 to treat an average-sized house, but this is only an estimate for the Mississippi State. Authorities have also sent urgent warnings for citizens and residents to take immediate action. 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.