Termite Control in Nicholasville, KY

Termite season doesn’t arrive in Nicholasville, KY with a weather announcement from WKYT. Instead, it creeps in silently because the termites have been there all winter and likely a good amount of time before that.

The usual scenario is a homeowner comes home to find hundreds or thousands of winged ant-looking critters all over the floor, in the window sills, and God only knows where else! They may even see tiny silver-colored wings with no insect bodies nearby. Or maybe the scenario is more complicated, like discovering a soft spot in the wall or floor, only to later find that these tiny homewreckers have been at work destroying your investment, your home, and potentially your finances.

You see, most homeowners find termite activity years after it first began, and termite season often hastens that finding with thousands of winged reproductive termites exiting their emergence castle to forage for a new spot to build a brand new colony… right in your home!

This is precisely why Four Seasons Pest Solutions diverts so much time to education and prevention of termites all over Kentucky, including Nicholasville! There are several things Kentucky homeowners should know about termites that you can learn here.

When Is Termite Season in Nicholasville, KY?

Termite season in Kentucky is a sort of misnomer since termites are actually active year-round. However, we refer to late February through late May as “termite season” because that’s when eastern subterranean termites are most likely to take their nuptial flight in search of new territory to build a colony.

The peak swarm time is on warm and humid days, especially after a rain or thunderstorm. This usually occurs from March through April. When you see winged insects by the hundreds or thousands swarming anywhere in or around your home, it’s a great idea to have it checked out and potentially treated against eastern subterranean termites.

What Are Termite Swarmers?

Alates (another name for termite swarmers) are the winged reproductive caste of an active termite colony. Their role in the environment is simple but extremely important: they leave the current colony, find a mate (a king and queen), breed, and start a brand-new colony.

What Do Termite Swarmers Look Like

For the last thirty years of my career, the most misidentified pest by both homeowners and pest controllers alike has been the termite swarmer. Unfortunately, this leads to the wrong treatment protocol being implemented, leaving homeowners at risk or costing them thousands in unnecessary expenses.

Termite swarmers can easily be mistaken for ant swarmers by those unfamiliar with them. If you observe ant swarmers, it does not necessarily mean you have a termite problem, and treating for termites may be unnecessary and costly. Conversely, if you do have termite swarmers, you do not need to treat for ants. Incorrectly treating for ants might leave your home vulnerable to significant termite damage.

Let’s look at the key differences between ant swarmers and termite swarmers (see our blog “How To Tell the Difference Between Flying Ants and Flying Termites” for a more in-depth look.)

Termite Swarmers

Termite swarmers are about  1/4″–3/8″ long, have straight, bead-like antennae, and two pairs of wings that are equal in length and much longer than their body. Their waist is also straight and uniform with no “pinch” in the middle. The eastern subterranean termite alate is usually dark brown to black, with silver wings.

Flying Ants

Flying ant reproductives have elbowed (bent) antennae, and their front wings are longer than their back wings. Additionally, a narrow, pinched waist identifies the ant swarmer, easily setting it apart from the termite alate.

If you see a cluster of winged insects with wings of equal length around a windowsill, a light, or anywhere around your home, especially during peak termite seasons, you probably have termites.

What Do Swarmers Do?

What most people fail to realize is that termite swarmers don’t actually cause any damage. Instead, they are the “warning sign” that you have an underlying infestation that needs immediate attention.

As a termite colony matures, its numbers increase, and eventually, there are enough swarmers to emerge and start new colonies. So, by the time you see the swarmers, they have likely been active for years.

One notable thing about termite swarmers that easily helps set them apart from other insects is that if you pay attention, they begin to drop their wings shortly after they emerge. This leaves a small, ant-like insect with no wings crawling around (with a thick waist instead of a pinched waist, of course).

Even if you only see termite swarmers outside your home, it still means an established colony is nearby. If your home isn’t protected, it is now a prime target, and if they aren’t already actively working inside your walls, it may not be long before they are.

Why Are Termite Swarmers in Your House?

Termite swarmers are present in a home because an active colony is working within it. The swarmers emerge inside the home due to warmth, light, and moisture.

Why Termites Are a Big Deal in Nicholasville

Kentucky is prime real estate for eastern subterranean termites for several reasons.

1. We have moderate winters that rarely freeze the soil deep enough to kill termites.
2. Many homes have wet crawlspaces or basements that attract termites.
3. Older homes in Nicholasville neighborhoods may have aging foundations and old wood that is damaged by moisture.

In the United States alone, more than 5 billion dollars in termite damage occurs to homes every year, and homeowner’s insurance generally doesn’t cover the expense. This fact alone makes preparing for them in advance the best course of action.

How Four Seasons Pest Solutions Can Help

Located right in the heart of Kentucky and serving the entire state, Four Seasons Pest Solutions knows Nicholasville’s termite patterns, neighborhoods, and buildings first-hand. Such local expertise and experience make a huge difference in spotting subtle signs and implementing appropriate treatment plans.

To protect Kentucky homes, we perform thorough inspections to detect all signs of termites. Once completed, you’ll receive a full analysis and a customized treatment plan, with options for a lifetime warranty!

Why It’s Smart to Have Four Seasons on Your Side

Going local, especially with an experienced company like Four Seasons, gives you knowledgeable service specialists, access to live representatives from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday through Friday, year-round protection, and peace of mind that can only come with choosing the crème de la crème.

What To Do If You See Swarmers in Nicholasville

It’s simple, really: call a pest control company you trust and let them handle the rest. There’s no need for panic and no need to begin tearing the house apart. Let the pros at Four Seasons handle it and don’t worry!