Are You Ready For Termite Season In New Jersey?

termites crawling on mud
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Now that the snow has melted and the temperatures are starting to warm up, some termites are coming out of the woodwork to look for a new place to start a colony. In New Jersey, termite season usually starts in mid-March and can last all the way until the end of June. 

At Heritage Pest Control, we know how to stop these pesky bugs in their tracks. Our New Jersey pest control specialists have extensive knowledge of how to deal with the various types of termites found throughout the state. Keep reading to determine if your home is ready for the upcoming termite season. 

How To Identify A Termite Infestation In Your Home

Termites can be hard to spot. These destructive insects are small and often spend their entire life within the wood they infest. Worker and soldier termites are rarely seen in the open, and when they are, they can be mistaken for cream-colored ants. Winged swarmer termites emerge from their nests to reproduce and can often be mistaken for flying ants. While these bugs may have similarities, they do have some unique traits that can help you tell them apart. For starters, termites typically have larger heads. Unlike an ant's curved antennae, termites have two straight antennae that grow out of the top of their head. Termites also have straighter bodies, while ants have well-defined segmented bodies. 

If you are still unsure if you have termites on your property, there are additional signs to be on the lookout for. Some other signs of a termite infestation include:

  • Termite droppings, called frass, look like tiny piles of wood shavings
  • Windows that are suddenly difficult to open
  • Paint that is peeling or bubbling for seemingly no reason
  • Discarded wings found on your window sill

If you have subterranean termites around your home, you are also likely to find mud tubes on your home's exterior walls. The mud tubes are made out of mud and chewed-up wood materials. They are used as a way for the subterranean termites to safely travel from their underground colony to a wooden surface.

Do Termite Swarmers Mean You Have A Termite Infestation?

Termites that have wings that are a part of the reproductive class. These termites are commonly referred to as "swarmer termites." Their main job is to leave the colony, find a mate, and start a new colony of their own. Once they find a mate, they discard their wings and start building their new nest.

If you see swarmer termites, there is a good chance you have a termite colony somewhere close by. Swarmers termites are only able to fly a few hundred yards. Seeing these termites around your home can mean there is either already a termite infestation in your home or there is about to be. 

Five Practical Termite Prevention Tips For Termite Season

If you want to keep termites away from your home, some easy steps that you can take include:

  1. Remove fallen tree branches and old tree stumps from your yard.
  2. Keep water from pooling up around your home.
  3. Make sure that the crawl spaces under your home are well-ventilated.
  4. Don't stake firewood close to your home.
  5. Don't use mulch or any other material that is good at retaining water around your house.

Another great way to keep termites away from your home is to have regular inspections. Early detection is the key to minimizing termite damage. If you have your home professionally inspected each year, you can prevent termites from causing extensive damage to your home. 

The Best Way To Get Rid Of A Termite Infestation

Termites can be one of the trickiest pests to find and eliminate. At Heritage Pest Control, we take the hassle out of termite control. Our experienced technicians can find, eliminate, and prevent termite infestations on your property. Feel free to give us a call today to see how our comprehensive termite control plans can help keep your home termite-free!

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