There is a popular saying about termites in Texas. “It’s not a matter of IF termites make it to your home but WHEN”. Termites are cold-blooded insects. Termite activity in Summer is directly influenced by the temperature of their environment. When the weather is warm and humid, termites become more active in search of food and new places to establish colonies.
Termites can cause damage any time of the year. Don’t just wait until you see termites begin to swarm. In fact, if they are swarming, this usually means the colony has reached a sizable capacity and is out to form additional colonies. This Summer’s humid, rainy season will only bolster termite activity and encourage growth and infestation. With our moderate winter temperatures, a termite queen’s egg production can continue year-round. The increased moisture in the air during summer also plays a significant role. 
Termite activity in Summer requires 3 basic needs:
- Water
- Food
- Shelter
Termites must have water. It helps break down the cellulose they feed on. Moisture helps with building their nest and with building their mud tubes to travel back and forth when foraging outside the confines of their nest. Moisture is a key element to sustaining termites whether in the ground or in your home.
Termites need Food. The wood building material on your home, deck, fence, outer layers of sheetrock, particle board, wood piles left out in the yard, dead or decaying tree branches, basically items with a cellulose compound are fair game for termites.
Termites must have Shelter to provide warmth for the colony to survive. Termites burrow into the ground further in the colder months to get the warmth needed to sustain their colony. If they are in the home foundation or walls, they will get their warmth from within your home itself to survive as well.
Preventing a termite infestation is much easier than dealing with the aftermath of an established colony. We find baiting for termites with Sentricon® Always Active Baiting System preferable to liquid treatments. We find it important to locate and eradicate the colony or colonies that could be present around your home. Sentricon® not only eliminates termites that are present, but eliminates colonies that attempt to attack later.
Termites prefer the material used with Sentricon® over wood and helps the foraging termites bring back material they in turn share with the colony. Most importantly, this aids in killing off the queen and eliminating multiple colonies around the home and in the yard. Colonies from other areas are constantly foraging so we do recommend keeping up with Sentricon® annually for continued coverage and protection of your home. Sentricon® offers around-the-clock protection and retains its effectiveness 100% of the time.
A spike in termite activity in summer months, make it a critical time for homeowners to be vigilant. By understanding the signs of a termite infestation and taking proactive steps to protect your home, you can avoid the costly damage these pests can cause. When in doubt, it’s always best to consult with a professional pest control service to ensure your home remains termite-free this summer. For more information on how to protect your home from termites or to schedule an inspection, call or contact Bio-Tech Pest Control today at 281-296-6022. Our experts are here to help you keep your home safe and secure year-round.
