Why do Termites like The Rain

Why do Termites like The Rain

A relative of the cockroach, termites, can seem just as invincible as their cousins. In reality, these pests are flimsy, and things must be just right for them to survive. They need a perfect amount of shelter, moisture, and warmth to thrive. When significant rain hits, all of these factors are thrown far out of whack, and the nest responds.

How do termites respond to rain? Think about how your home responds to rain. Any wet wood is a lot easier to bite through, and the humidity makes it easier for termites to breathe. Termites respond to rain storms, hurricanes, and sometimes foggy weather by mating and starting new colonies.

In this article, let’s go over some facts about rain and termites.

Flying Termites Swarm After Rainfall

It’s common to see swarms of bugs where there’s standing water. You’ll see more than usual if your home has a termite problem. If the soil in your home retains moisture, termites will also fly to it. Wood that stays damp due to contact with the ground is a prime target for two of the most abundant species of termite.

When checking for termites, look in areas like exterior walls, along the roof and gutter, and where the porch meets the rest of the house. These areas are some of the most frequently targeted by termites looking to get at your home.

Can Rain Make Termites Stay Longer?

In addition to causing termites to move about and get agitated, start swarming, and more – Rainstorms can also hinder pest control methods. The rain can “water down” the chemicals in several varieties of termite killers. Soil treatments also wash away in heavy rain. In these cases, for subterranean termites, the treatment will likely fail. If you’re using a treatment that lingers, you may have to reapply it after heavy rain.

Is It Really the Rain?

Though we associate rain with termite activity, it’s not the rain itself. If you’ve lived in Florida for more than a day, you’ve no doubt noticed the humidity. Rain increases this humidity, paired with the heat, which sets flying termites and whole colonies into overdrive.

What Are Winged Termites?

Like ants, termites live in a caste society. There are maybe one to a few queens in a colony, several males, and hundreds of female workers. The worker caste includes soldiers and large termites that defend the colony. The winged termites are reproductive termites responsible for starting new colonies.

The winged termites can’t dig through the wood. Most of them die. Their presence is usually a massive red flag that you already have a mature termite colony in your home. This is especially true if you see several of them in the same area.

If you see winged termites crowding around, it’s time to call an exterminator. Termites never stop eating – While looking at the winged reproductive, the rest of the colony is feasting on your home. Termites can be hard to kill on your own. You can read more about them on our website or give us a call today. It’s never a bad idea to bring in an expert with these pests!