Termite Swarming Season is Almost Here

As residents of the Texas Hill Country approach the late February through March period, it’s crucial to turn our attention to a natural phenomenon that could significantly impact our homes and properties: termite swarming season. This annual event marks the beginning of a critical time for homeowners, as swarms of termites set out to establish new colonies, potentially within our living spaces. This informative article aims to shed light on termite swarming season, its implications, and the steps you can take to protect your property.

What is Termite Swarming Season?

Termite swarming season refers to a specific period, usually from late February through March in Texas, when mature termite colonies release swarms of winged termites into the air. These winged termites, also known as “swarmers” or “alates,” embark on a nuptial flight to mate and find new locations to establish additional colonies. The swarming occurs on warm, humid days, often following rain, creating ideal conditions for termites to thrive and multiply.

Why Should San Antonio and Bulverde Residents Be Concerned?

The presence of termite swarmers outside your home does not necessarily mean your property is infested. However, it indicates that termite colonies are nearby, posing a potential risk to your home. More alarming is the discovery of swarmers inside your house, which could signify an existing termite problem needing immediate attention. Termites are known for causing significant structural damage, silently and unseen, making them a formidable threat to homeowners.

Signs of Termite Swarming

• Winged Termites: Finding discarded wings near windows, doors, or other home entry points is a common sign of termite swarming.
• Mud Tubes: Subterranean termites, prevalent in Texas, build mud tubes to provide moisture while they travel between their colony and food sources. These pencil-sized tubes can often be found near the foundation of homes.
• Damaged Wood: Termites consume wood from the inside out, leaving a hollow sound when tapped. Over time, this can lead to visibly damaged or crumbling wood structures.

Prevention and Control

Preventing termite infestations is more effective and less costly than dealing with an established colony. Here are some proactive steps:

• Reduce Moisture: Repair leaking faucets, water pipes, and AC units. Ensure proper drainage around your home’s foundation.
• Eliminate Wood Contact: Keep firewood, lumber, or paper away from your home’s foundation or crawl space.
• Regular Inspections: Annual inspections by a professional pest control company like Hitman Pest can identify potential termite issues before they become severe problems.

Professional Termite Control

Despite taking preventive measures, termite infestations can still occur. Professional pest control services offer the expertise and tools necessary to effectively address termite problems. Hitman Pest, serving San Antonio and Bulverde, TX, provides comprehensive termite control solutions tailored to our local environment and specific termite species.

Conclusion

Termite swarming season is a crucial time for homeowners in San Antonio and Bulverde, TX. Being vigilant and proactive can help prevent termite infestations and protect your property from potential damage. If you suspect termite activity or wish to take preventive measures, contacting a professional pest control service like Hitman Pest is a wise step towards safeguarding your home.

Remember, the key to managing termite threats is awareness, prevention, and timely action. By understanding termite swarming season and its implications, residents can better prepare and protect their homes from these unwelcome invaders.

Does it seems that no matter how hard you try to seal up holes and cracks around your home, insects still find their way in? Here are some common entry points for insects like ants and spiders:

Windows

Damaged screens or seemingly tiny gaps around screens insects entry into your home. Even when windows are closed, ants or rodents can create holes that lead into the walls of your home.

Doors

Doors aren’t always as well-sealed as you think. Door frames often have gaps that can allow entry for bugs. Weather stripping on doorways, especially sliding glass doors, can develop cracks and holes.

Garages

While your garage is open, many pests can make their way inside. Once in the garage it’s easier for them to invade the rest of your home.

Foundation

Home foundations have pipes and conduits that pass through. Gaps around them or chipped mortar can allow a way in.

Hitchhikers

Items like used furniture, antiques, plants, even Christmas trees can contain pests or insect eggs.

Does it seem impossible to keep spiders out of your home? Spiders and their webs seem to regularly appear no matter how well your home is sealed and cleaned.

There are a wide variety of plants that both repel and attract mosquitoes. What are these plants, and how can they help you to keep mosquitoes away from your home and yard?

The Asian giant hornet has generated a lot of fear in the U.S. in recent weeks since it was spotted in North America. It is the largest wasp in the world, up to 2 inches long, with a sting that has been described as hurting like a hot nail punched through the skin. There are also concerns about its effect on honey bees, since they attack honey bee nests and rapidly kill entire colonies.

The good news is that the Asian giant hornet has only been spotted in Washington state, and there have been less than 10 confirmed sightings. These hornets are only aggressive when their nests are disturbed, and their nests are usually found in wooded areas.

There are several species of Texas native hornets that are often mistook for the Asian giant hornet, such as the cicada killer wasp, which can grow as large as 1.5 inches. Cicada killers are solitary and rarely sting.

So there’s no need to fear Asian giant hornet in South Texas, now or likely ever. If you have problems with other hornets or pests, schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

Termites are a problem that you never see coming. By the time you’ve found them the damage is often extensive. Especially as the weather warms up, termites can become a serious problem.

One potential problem can come from swarming termites. The good news is that the swarming termites that fly around in spring and summer do not bite, sting or even eat wood. Swarming termites’ job is to find a new home, to build a new colony.

The bad news is that the presence of these swarmers means that a colony is nearby, either already in your home or nearby, ready to expand into your area.

Don’t let your home become their base of operations this year. Schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

An insect that you should look out for in and around your home this spring are carpenter ants. Similar to termites, carpenter ants can damage the wood in your walls, ceilings and foundation as they make paths throughout the structure.

The carpenter ants that we mostly deal with around our area are the red and black colored species.

One of the signs of infestation is swarming, which often occurs around this time of year. During swarming, some of the ants make a one-time flight and then die soon after. If you see large winged ants in or around your home, you likely have a colony nearby.

Most home ant infestations indicate the presence of a moisture problem, either plumbing or weather related. Problem areas often include areas around doors, windows, chimney flashing and so forth.

The good news is that we have very effective bait that has proven very effective. The local ants love it, sometimes carrying it back to the nest before we’re done.

Do you suspect the presence of these or similar pests? Schedule a home inspection with one of our licensed professionals at Hitman Pest Control today!

Unseasonably warm and wet conditions across the country have prompted experts to offer warnings for the season ahead for many areas, including San Antonio.

The National Pest Management Association (NPMA) today released its bi-annual Vector Sectors™ list of the top 10 U.S. cities with the greatest risk for increased pest pressure. San Antonio was among those ten cities, and the report says in part:

San Antonio: After an unseasonably warm fall and start to winter, above-average precipitation for the remainder of the season could lead to a spike in peridomestic cockroach activity.

https://www.pestworld.org/news-hub/press-releases/erratic-weather-contributes-to-spike-in-unlikely-pest-populations/

Cockroach infestations can spread bacteria and lead to food contamination and respiratory issues. If you suspect a problem, contact us to properly identify and treat any infestations.

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Mosquito Kill Zone!

Fully automatic mosquito control has arrived to the Northern San Antonio, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake areas. Protection from these bothersome and dangerous pests has evolved to fully self contained units that are pre-programmed to automatically dispense pre-mixed pesticides at EPA approved concentrations at times when mosquitoes are most active and exposure to humans and pets is minimal.

If mosquitoes are keeping you from enjoying this beautiful Spring weather we are experiencing here in South Texas, fret not…there is a solution! Automatic Mosquito Misting Systems by MistAway might just be what you are looking for in that never ending search for relief from a never ending nuisance. If state of the art technology and proven chemical applications are what you are looking for than Hitman Pest Control  is the company for you in the San Antonio, Bulverde, Spring Branch, Canyon Lake, Blanco and New Braunfels communities.

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Whether you have a small garden home with plenty of lush tropical plants in your private little back yard or a large country estate along with swimming pool and all the amenities, Hitman Pest Control can provide you control over mosquitoes and other pests that can endanger you and your home!

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