Rain and Termites: What You Need to Know

How does rain affect termites?

Rain makes the surrounding environment hydrated and damper, which leads to easier living for termites. The rain is not a call to action for the termites but more of a window of opportunity. In this video that our Beeline Pest Control specialists captured you can see a colony of termites taking advantage of the damp wood from a tree. After the tree was soaked by the rainfall these suburban termites are more than happy to now feast on the humid wood.

That reason alone is why it is so important to make sure your home is safe from termites during times of rain. Ensuring that the exterior of your home is clean and well kept will greatly protect you from new termites possibly establishing a new colony. Make sure that firewood and any other piles of wood and debris are kept away from the siding of your home. Keeping large piles of wood and debris near your home is a welcoming sign to termites, especially after a rainfall. Two of the most common species of termites in the United States, damp wood and subterranean termites, prefer to infest moist or decaying timber. They are most often found in wood that stays damp through contact with the soil or as a result of flooding or leaking pipes.

Rainfall in warm weather may also interest the alates or swarming termites to search for a new area to establish a new colony. Even if you think your home is safe and in good condition from termites it is always helpful to keep an eye out for new termites looking around your home after a rainfall. Especially since these alate termites have wings and can fly to search for new areas. However, they are not very strong flyers and will not stray too far from the main colony. That is why it’s important to watch for these flying termites as they may indicate that a colony is already nearby. While the rainwater gives them the ability to thrive and multiply Beeline Pest Control can make sure won’t have any termite related issues.