Finding termites around your Jacksonville home is always a bad sign, but discovering an abundance of termites with wings on your property is worse. These pests inflict thousands of dollars worth of damage in just a few short years, so if you have a termite problem, you’ll want to find a dependable Jacksonville pest control company as soon as possible. It’s not easy to get rid of active termites once they’ve gotten established, so it’s important to know how to prevent termites and the best way to get rid of termites.
What Are Flying Termites?
Flying termites are the reproductive members of termite colonies. When a termite colony gets big enough, it produces reproductive termites to create new colonies elsewhere. These termites are roughly 1/2 of an inch in length, dark brown to black, and have two pairs of uniform-sized translucent wings. They’re easy to mistake for winged ants, but ants have much more defined waists than termites, asymmetrical wings, and elbowed antennae as opposed to the termites’ straight antennae.
Does Winged Termites On My Property Mean I Have An Infestation?
One isolated termite with wings on your property could mean there’s a mature colony nearby since they’re not very strong fliers, but multiple winged termites usually mean you’ve had active termites on your property for at least three years. A local Jacksonville pest control company, such as Trad’s Pest Control, will be able to inspect your property and assess the extent of the damage. Still, chances are you’ll have to deal with a lot of costly structural repairs:
- Wooden flooring
- Support beams
- Framework
- Drywall
- Door and window frames
- Baseboards
- Wooden furniture and décor
How Can I Prevent Termites On My Property?
Termites are attracted to wood that’s in constant contact with soil, so wooden fences, mailbox posts, piles of firewood, and untreated patio decks are all big attractants for termites. Trad’s Pest Control has amazing preventative treatments for termites, but there are plenty of things you can do on your own to minimize wood-to-soil contact and prevent termites from infesting your property:
- Repair any damages around the home’s exterior, especially at the foundation.
- Ensure all outdoor wooden structures are treated and finished with some paint or clear coating.
- Aerate the soil around your property to promote proper drainage.
- Try not to over-water your garden areas.
- Remove any wooden debris from your lawn.
- Store firewood in an elevated container away from the exterior of your home.
- Fix any leaky pipes and moisture damage around the interior of your home.
- Invest in a dehumidifier for moisture-retaining rooms such as kitchen, bathroom, basement, and laundry room.
- Don’t use too much mulch in your garden areas, especially around the foundation of your home.
What’s The Best Way To Protect My Property From Termites?
It’s not easy to prevent termites from infesting your Jacksonville home, and, unfortunately, even the best preventative measures don’t always work. Getting rid of termites is even more complicated, so if you have a termite problem on your property, don’t wait for your home to fall apart around you. You need professional termite control, and the best way to get rid of termites is with our pest professionals at Trad’s Pest Control.
Our termite treatment plans use the highest quality pest products and the most effective pest control methods. We understand every infestation is different, so we offer various treatment options based on necessity and the preferences of our customers. We also offer free termite inspections and ongoing annual inspections, re-treatment warranties, and regular monitoring to make sure termites never come back. If you’re ready to kick termites out for good, then get in contact with us today for more information.