Apr 2, 2010, 12:03 PM by User Not Found

Termite Swarms Hit New Yorks Long Island Suburban Exterminating Provides Tips to Protect Homes From Damage

Termite Swarms Hit New York's Long Island: Suburban Exterminating Provides Tips to Protect Homes From Damage

PR Newswire

SMITHTOWN, N.Y., March 31

Termites damage more homes than fires, earthquakes and storms combined. They attack in every state but Alaska, infesting five million homes every year. Yet termite damage is rarely covered by homeowners' insurance.

Unfortunately, many homeowners do not protect their homes from likely invasions. "On Long Island, it's not a question of if you have termites, it's a matter of when," said Lynn Frank, Board Certified Entomologist and Technical Director of Suburban Exterminating Co, Inc. (879 West Jericho Turnpike, Smithtown, NY 11787 [631] 864-6900 www.suburbanexterminating.com), Inc., Long Island's leading full-service pest management company.

Right now, it's termite-swarming season on New York's Long Island (late March/early April through May/early June), a time of year when billions of reproductive subterranean termites take flight from their colonies in search of new homes to infest. "Swarming termites are one of the most obvious signs that you could have a termite problem, and that you need help," added Frank.

The exact dates vary each year according to geographic regions, species type and weather conditions. As a general rule, most subterranean termites swarm under these conditions: Daytime, usually mid-day; sunny; and often following rain.

SIGNS HOMEOWNERS SHOULD WATCH OUT FOR:

• Dead termites or wings around windows, doors, heating vents, or in bath tubs and sinks, certain signs of termite activity.
• Termite mud tubes on walls located outside or inside the structure. The tubes are either round of flat and usually measure at least 1/4 inch or wider. They look like their name - a tube of mud.
• Damaged wood - Termites eat from the inside of the wood out, so damaged wood is sometimes very difficult to detect. "Hollow" sounding wood should be inspected for termite damage.
• Live termites - Termites are sometimes found while doing home remodeling or repair. Worker termites are small, whitish creatures that will quickly move away when exposed to light.

If termites are discovered, homeowners should contact a licensed pest management professional.