Kansas City once again ranked among the top 50 most termite-infested cities in the United States, and these wood-destroying pests remain active beyond swarming season and can cause structural damage at any time of year. Homeowners should have regular professional termite inspections in Kansas City, as delaying inspection until spring may allow damage to worsen.
Off-Season Termite Activity
Termite swarmers are the most active in the spring,however, termites remain active throughout the year. Spring is mating season for termites, when swarmers seek new nesting sites to establish colonies. Once a reproductive pair establishes a colony within a structure, they’ll start a family with as many as 30,000 eggs laid in a single day.
FALL
If you survive termite season without any signs of damage, continued monitoring remains important. Colonies established earlier in the year continue developing. Once they hatch, they take three to four months to grow through the nymph stage into adulthood. Because the termite life cycle takes so long, that means termites hatched in the spring may begin causing noticeable structural damage until summer or early fall.
WINTER
Cold weather may slow termites down, but that mostly means they won’t be searching for new nesting sites.. If you already have termites in your home, continue feeding on wooden structural components within heated buildings.
SUMMER
Subterranean termites — the most common termite species in Kansas City — thrive in summer. This particular termite species burrows through moist soil, and the sun-warmed ground becomes an extensive underground network that allows termites to travel undetected new locations without any swarmers ever showing themselves above-ground. The summertime thunderstorms common in Kansas City don’t help either, as these maintain favorable moisture conditions for subterranean termites to form mud tubes.
Benefits of Year-Round Professional Termite Inspections
Because termites can spark an infestation anytime, anywhere in Kansas City, regular professional inspections are essential. Here are just a few benefits of making termite inspections part of your regular seasonal pest treatment plan.
- Prevents costly damage. Termites are the most damaging pests in Kansas City, and homeowners insurance often won’t cover the repairs.
- Helps prevent infestations from progressing. Professional termite control technicians can identify hard-to-catch signs of termite activity near your home, like mud tubes and nymphs that haven’t yet led to damage but need to be addressed.
- Reduces other pest activity. One infestation often leads to another, and termite damage can create entry points for other pests or invite additional wood-destroying insects.
- Gives you peace of mind. Because termites can do a lot of damage before ever being noticed, regular inspections will help you to have confidence that your home has been professionally evaluated each season.
How Professional Termite Inspections Find Hidden Activity
Advantage Termite and Pest Control technicians are experts at finding the most difficult-to-spot signs of termite activity. When you schedule a termite inspection with us, our technicians will conduct a thorough inspection to identify signs of hidden activity. Some of the subtle signs of termite activity we look for include:
- Mud tubes
- Piles of discarded wings
- Hollow-sounding wood
- Termite droppings
- Bubbling or peeling paint or wallpaper
- Buckling or damaged wood
- Maze-like tunnels in walls or furniture
- Sagging floors or ceilings
- A mold or mildew-like scent
- Sticking windows or doors
- And live termites, nymphs, or eggs
We also assess factors that may put your home at risk of a termite infestation, such as poor drainage or exposed wood. Our technicians will find any existing infestations and address the issue promptly by identifying what kind of termite or other pest you’re dealing with, so we can treat it properly. Our termite control methods don’t use digging, trenching, or structural drilling for a noninvasive but highly effective treatment approach.
Protect Your Home from Termites in All Seasons
Termites remain a risk regardless of seasonal changes. While they may have different habits or be in a less active phase of their life cycle, termites are just as much a threat to your property in the fall and winter as they are in the spring and summer. Regardless of whether or not you’ve noticed termite swarmers or signs of termite activity near your home, proactive inspections help prevent costly repairs.
If you’re ready to make sure your home is pest-free guaranteed, book your Kansas City termite inspection with Advantage Termite and Pest Control. Contact our team at the first sign of termite activity for professional service.
