Notes from the Green Truck

Yes, there is a foot of snow (or more) on the ground, but Termites are still beginning to swarm in New Jersey!  We have had reports of swarms in the Parsippany and East Hanover sections of Morris County; and the Rutherford, North Arlington, Saddle Brook and Maywood areas of Bergen County.  

Typically, people associate swarms with the ”puddles” of what look like of winged ants milling around on the ground near foundation walls or in lawns. In New Jersey, these winged reproductives emerge from underground termite nests from March to May. Swarms can number from a few dozen termites to hundreds and are often a home or business owner’s first indication of termite infestation.

However, we what home and business owners are now reporting are indoor Termite swarms. Indoor swarmers are attracted to light. Rather than flying insects, building owners are more apt to discover hundreds of smoky gray wings littering window sills or entrance areas. Both wing litter and termite “puddles” are sure signs of an active termite infestation in the immediate vicinity.

Termites swarm to relieve pressure on overpopulated colonies, locate new food sources or relocate the colony when nesting sites become uninhabitable. Winged reproductives are produced and crawl to the surface where they form mating pairs and fly off to establish new termite colonies. Males die shortly after mating; but females land, shed their wings and crawl into the ground to begin building a new colony. Because termites are poor fliers, new colonies are often located nearby, creating satellite colonies, all attacking the same structure. This also explains why termite infestations appear to spread through a neighborhood. Colony-expanding winged reproductives are most likely to land in nearby yards and attack your neighbors’ homes.

Only mature termite colonies produce swarmers. It takes a colony 3 to 6 years to reach maturity by which time it can house 60,000 or more individual termites. By the time swarming occurs, considerable structural damage may already have been done to your home or business.  

Termite extermination and prevention is a job for well-trained, experienced termite control professionals. If you notice signs of termite activity around your New Jersey home or business, call the termite experts at ChemTec Pest Control immediately.