Spring showers may bring flowers €¦.. but they also bring swarming termites. This is the stage of a termite colony's life cycle that is most visible and sometimes confused with winged ants. Unfortunately, the similarities between the two make it easy for that to happen.  Here are just a few things you can look for in the event you encounter either one.   First, swarming termites have two sets of wings of equal length, and they are considerably longer than the body of the termite.  Flying ants will also have two sets of wings, one set longer than the other, and both sets are generally equal to or slightly longer than the ant's body.  Next, swarming termites have straight antennae, while flying ants have elbowed or €bent€ antennae.  Finally, swarming termites have a thick waist, whereas flying ants will have a constricted or €pinched€ waist resembling that of a non-flying ant. Hopefully, this will help you in identifying the pest you are dealing with. 

All Subterranean Termites live in the ground to obtain the moisture essential for their survival and to avoid the desiccating effects of the sun. When gaining access to a food source requires exposure to sun light, workers build mud tubes which provide protection from the sun's harmful effects. It is the presence of these mud tubes that often alert a termite control professional or home owner of active termites. If there is sufficient moisture available for the termites in the structure, they need not return to the soil, therefore one of the early warning signs won't be present. The moisture required by termites is harmful to our homes in itself and can be caused by roof or plumbing leaks, clogged gutters, insufficient caulking or exterior paint deterioration, improper irrigation, etc. Termites can also gain access to our homes undetected if the exterior siding is in direct contact with the soil, excessive vegetation is present against the foundation, or if the mulch in landscaped areas is above the bottom of the siding.

As the weather warms and our thoughts turn to landscaping and flower beds, there are some very important factors to keep in mind regarding protecting our homes from termites. You may well wonder what landscaping has to do with termites, however because our native termites are subterranean, the answer is €¦.. everything. Any changes that maximize the availability of water for plants also increase the risk of active termites, especially if the moisture is near the home. Consider leaving a zone of one to two feet around the perimeter of the home landscape free. This will reduce the need for moisture near the home as well as maximizing the potential for a thorough inspection. Perhaps most importantly is the decision on choosing landscape and retaining wall materials. It has long been confirmed that used railroad ties can be responsible for the introduction of Formosan Termites to areas with no previous activity. Because the ties were previously in contact with soil on at least three sides and are frequently transported across state lines, there is no telling the infestation potential or from where yours were purchased. A better choice for retaining walls or flower bed borders would be landscaping timbers, bricks, rocks, molded plastic, etc.

Termites play an important role in our environment by helping to recycle trees and other cellulous material. Their typical behavior decomposes organic matter, returning nutrients to and aerating the soil, thereby promoting plant growth. This same biology and behavior however also causes millions of dollars of damage annually to our homes. By knowing how to identify termites and what conditions are conducive to an infestation, homeowners can minimize their chances of becoming a victim of termite damage.