What to know
It is swarmer season and swarmers are termites in the middle of mating and reproduction looking for a new place to call home. It’s not really these that cause the damage (yet) but is definitely a sign that you have a problem on your hands. They have come from their colony underground or from within your home now that it’s warmer outside. Termites are very invasive and once they find a food source, they’ll eat all that and then move on to the next food source.

What to do
Monitor areas in your home that are usually damp and also keep your gutters free of leaves. Remove mulch and any wood from around the perimeter. If you suspect termites, don’t delay and call to address the issue. It is critical that you correct it right away or you could have significant problem in you home.

What to look out for
• Crumbling drywall or a several wings on your windowsill
• Mud tubes used to travel to food sources or sawdust like droppings in a pile
• If your wood feels soft or hollow when tapped
• Darkening or blistering of wood structures
• Cracked or bubbling paint

To learn more about Termite Service, click here

The post Termites Are Invasive appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Since invading termites thrive on moisture during warmer temperatures, homeowners need to protect their homes.

Here’s a few homeowner tips:

• Don’t let moisture accumulate near the foundation
• Reduce humidity in crawl spaces
• Check for points of entry
• Check for the presence of mud tubes (also called shelter tubes) along the foundation, near pipes, in the attic, within crawlspace, or around other access points to your home. Wood that is in contact with dirt is a good entry point (eliminate wood contact with the ground). Cracks in the foundation or concrete porch allow termites to enter into the crawlspace. Flower planters that make contact with the side of the home are also entry points. The outside heating unit keeps the surrounding ground warm all year and allows termites to grow rapidly throughout the year as well as being a good entry point.
• Food sources – use mulch sparingly, firewood, tree stumps, wooden posts sunk into the ground, wood decks or porches, trees & shrubbery
• Moisture – downspouts, water spigots, leaky water lines, air-conditioner drip lines, along sewer lines, any standing water, missing, broken or clogged gutters or roof tiles.
• If you find swarmers, mud tubes or just want peace of mind, call a professional exterminator.
• Both flying ants and winged termites have four wings.
• Termite wings are uniform in size.
• Winged ants have noticeably larger wings in the front than the pair in the back.
• Termites antennae are almost straight where the ant’s antennae is elbowed.
• Termite wings are twice as long as their body.

The post Termites Create New Colonies appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

With that said, Subterranean Termites have been found living above ground, but they must have a source of moisture in an unexposed area. In addition to moisture, subterranean termites also need cellulose for survival. This is why they feed on wood, paper and other cellulose containing products.

Subterranean termites are by far the most destructive species. They can collapse a building entirely, meaning possible financial ruin for a homeowner. The hard, saw-toothed jaws of termites work like shears and are able to bite off extremely small fragments of wood, one piece at a time.

Subterranean Termites can be found entering structures around plumbing penetrations, cement expansion joints, cracks, and other areas that give them access to the structure. Any wood that is in direct contact with the soil is also a prime target for subterranean termites. Subterranean termites will build their mud shelter tubes as far and as long as necessary to get to their food sources.

Characteristics

• Subterranean termites can be found in every state except Alaska.
• Subterranean termite colonies can be small with only a few hundred, up to around 250,000 termites, or as is the case with Formosan termites (found in the southern and gulf coast states), up to 10 million.
• There are (3) different forms of subterranean termites each with its own specific characteristics.
• Workers – Cream-colored (white to off-white) workers will be smaller, wingless and there will be variations in size between species. Count and examine the six short and stubby legs. While they do resemble soldiers, their heads are shorter and their mandibles are not as pronounced. The worker termites build the mud tubes.
• Soldiers – Solider termites, known as the “defenders of the colony”, have cream-colored bodies and brown heads. Soldiers are also wingless termites, just as workers. However, their heads are pale yellow to dark brown in color with bigger mandibles (jaws) than those of workers. There are some soldiers, depending on where they are located, that feature pear-shaped heads featuring a long front projection that traps enemies by exuding a sticky substance.
• Reproductive (swarm in the spring) – Groups of reproductive termites go off to start new colonies. Reproductive subterranean termites, also known as “alates” are approximately one inch long, have (4) equally sized wings that are double of its body and may be brown to black in color.
• Flying termites (known as swarmers) are often confused with flying ants, because both mate during the springtime. Flying ants do not shed their wings. Look for discarded wings around window sills.
• Most worker and soldier termites are completely blind as they do not have a pair of eyes.

Reproduction

• Once the colony has matured (usually two to four years), then swarming occurs.
• The surviving males and females pair off and begin the nesting and mating process.
• The mating process may continue for years, which explains why subterranean termite colonies can contain several thousand termites…or several million in the case of Formosan termites.
• Termite eggs are small, white, translucent and ovoid in shape. Termite eggs increase in size near hatching.
• A new queen’s first clutch will contain approximately two dozen eggs.
• Eggs laid in cooler climates need more incubation time. Depending on the climate, termite eggs hatch within 26 to 30 days.

Prevention

• Eliminate wood contact with the soil.
• Avoid water accumulation near the home’s foundation.
• Ensure proper ventilation in crawl spaces to reduce humidity.
• Divert water away from home with downspouts, gutters and splash blocks.
• Use plastic sheeting to cover soil in crawl space.
• Wood siding, stucco and foam board should be at least six inches away from the ground. Seal all cracks and holes in your home’s foundation, which may provide a handy access point for termites.

Attempting to eliminate Termites effectively require the use of several insecticide products and baiting stations. To avoid improper application, call a local pest control expert.

The post Subterranean Termites appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

Termites create new colonies from existing nests. The winged, sexually mature adults, called alates, fly off to create their own colonies during the spring. The presence of multiple winged termites inside your house and around window sills is a good indication there’s a termite nest nearby.

Since invading termites thrive on moisture during warmer temperatures, homeowners need to protect their homes.

Here’s a few homeowner tips:

• Don’t let moisture accumulate near the foundation
• Reduce humidity in crawl spaces
• Check for points of entry
• Check for the presence of mud tubes (also called shelter tubes) along the foundation, near pipes, in the attic, within crawlspace, or around other access points to your home. Wood that is in contact with dirt is a good entry point (eliminate wood contact with the ground). Cracks in the foundation or concrete porch allow termites to enter into the crawlspace. Flower planters that make contact with the side of the home are also entry points. The outside heating unit keeps the surrounding ground warm all year and allows termites to grow rapidly throughout the year as well as being a good entry point.
• Food sources – use mulch sparingly, firewood, tree stumps, wooden posts sunk into the ground, wood decks or porches, trees & shrubbery
• Moisture – downspouts, water spigots, leaky water lines, air-conditioner drip lines, along sewer lines, any standing water, missing, broken or clogged gutters or roof tiles.
• If you find swarmers, mud tubes or just want peace of mind, call a professional exterminator.

The post With the Termite Swarm Season Nearing, have you Noticed Anything that Resembles Flying Ants? appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

• Only male crickets can chirp.
• A butterfly has its taste receptors in its feet.
• Baby robins eat 14 feet of earthworms every day.
• The praying mantis is the only insect that can look behind its shoulders.
• The weight of all the termites in the world outweigh the weight of all humans 10 to 1.
• Locusts can eat their own weight in food in a day. A person eats his own body weight in about half a year.
• The desert locust is the world’s most destructive insect. It can eat it’s own weight in food every day. Large swarms can gobble up to 20,000 tons of grain and plants in a day.
• Of the huge numbers of insects, only a tiny amount, one percent, are harmful to humans. Most insects are harmless or actually beneficial. For example, without bees to pollinate flowers, plants would not have a way of reproducing and we wouldn’t have anything to eat.

The post Fun Fact Friday – Insects and Bugs IV appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

What to know
It is swarmer season and swarmers are termites in the middle of mating and reproduction looking for a new place to call home. It’s not really these that cause the damage (yet) but is definitely a sign that you have a problem on your hands. They have come from their colony underground or from within your home now that it’s warmer outside. Termites are very invasive and once they find a food source, they’ll eat all that and then move on to the next food source.

What to do
Monitor areas in your home that are usually damp and also keep your gutters free of leaves. Remove mulch and any wood from around the perimeter. If you suspect termites, don’t delay and call to address the issue. It is critical that you correct it right away or you could have significant problem in you home.

What to look out for
• Crumbling drywall or a several wings on your windowsill
• Mud tubes used to travel to food sources or sawdust like droppings in a pile
• If your wood feels soft or hollow when tapped
• Darkening or blistering of wood structures
• Cracked or bubbling paint

To learn more about Termite Service, click here

The post Fun Facts: Termites Eat Non-Stop appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

• The first day of spring is called the vernal equinox, which basically means that it is one of only two days each year when the sun passes directly over the equator. Supposedly on the vernal equinox, there are exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness. However, scientists say this phenomenon usually occurs a few days ahead of the vernal equinox.

• The spring (vernal) equinox in the Northern Hemisphere is the autumnal (fall) equinox in the Southern Hemisphere (September 23rd) and vice versa. ‘Vernal’ is Latin for spring while ‘equinox’ is Latin for ‘equal night’.

• Easter is the chief holiday during the spring season. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the start of spring, generally between March 22 and April 25.

• Each year the president conducts an Easter Egg Roll on the White House lawn. This is the 137th year since the tradition was started by President Rutherford B. Hayes in 1878. Each president has maintained the roll and this year, The First Lady’s “Let’s Move” initiative is incorporated within the festivities.

• “Spring Fever”, according to medical experts, is more than just a mood. In fact, a person‘s body makeup often changes during spring because of variations in diet, physical activity, hormone production and temperature.

• Supposedly you can stand an egg on end during the vernal equinox, however it is said if you are patient enough you could stand an egg on end almost any day of the year.

If you haven’t already prepared your home for the upcoming pest reproduction season, wait no further. Call us today to learn about our many Termite and Pest Services available. Also, don’t forget about our “Refer a Friend” and “Refer a Client” programs.

Have a wonderful spring season and like most of you, we too are ready to put this past winter behind us. Bring on the sun!

The post Fun Fact Friday: Spring is in the Air and so is the Season for Many Insects appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

No one knows exactly how long termite queens live, but many are known to live at least ten years and records of some long lived mounds suggest longevity of over 40 years. Formosan queens can produce up to 1,000 eggs a day. The largest Formosan termite colony found in America had infested a public library in Algiers, La. It weighed 600 pounds and contained 70 million termites. But who’s counting?

Termites burrow into wood to obtain food. Given enough time, termites will feed until nothing is left of the wood but a shell. Collective with other termite species, they cause as much as $5 billion in damage each year. Formosan termites alone cause over $1 billion in damage every year.

Suspect a problem or want to ensure you are prepared if one develops? There is no better time to protect one of your most valued assets. Call us today to learn more about our Termite Service plan.

Facts from NPMA’s Pestworld.org

This article from the Home & Garden section of the San Antonio Express-News expands on what to look for and in general a very good read if you want to learn more about these wood destroying pests.

The post Guess who else is tired of winter and ready for spring? Subterranean Termites! appeared first on Southern Pest Control.

In addition, we are delighted that Virgil Hicks has joined SPC in the position of Operations Manager. Virgil brings over 13 years of experience in the pest control industry and is certified in Tennessee and in Kentucky.  He thrives on establishing and nurturing new relationships each day and solving customers’ pest control needs. He is a military veteran and in his downtime he enjoys traveling with his family, attending church and creating digital art.

It will be our pleasure to serve you at our new location with the same quality and service you have come to expect of us. We hope to see you soon. Don’t forget, if you have friends or family in the Nashville area, be sure to take advantage of our Refer-A-Friend program and earn $50 (details located on our website http://www.sovereignpestcontrol.com/referral-programs/).

Thank you, as always, for your continued support. We attribute our success to people like you.

The post Sovereign & Southern Pest Control Announce New Location in Nashville, TN appeared first on Southern Pest Control.