Why Cast-Off Wings Could Represent a Big Problem for You

Have you discovered a pile of small, silvery insect wings in the corner of your home next to a window? If so, you may be scratching your head and wondering where they came from and what happened to the actual insect. The bad news is that these are probably flying termites. Further, they may have already colonised your home or otherwise be thinking about doing so. What's going on in this situation?

Widespread Risk

Termites are best known for their subterranean qualities and the fact that they can often borrow underground and set up a colony within your home. They thrive in damp conditions and need a source of wood to proliferate. So, if there is any problem with your damp proof course or any part of your wood frame comes into contact with the soil, you are certainly at risk.

Different Types of Termites

Inside each colony, you will find worker termites and also flying insects (known as alates). Some of the flying termites will eventually become king or queen of a new colony, but when they actually leave the nest and start to fly, they are looking to mate and find a new food source.

Looking for New Opportunities

If the termites are already well established in your property, the alates may have burrowed out through a baseboard and be trying to fly out through your window. They are attracted to light, but they will eventually shed their wings and die if they cannot actually escape. They may have crawled quite a distance from where you have found the wings, but as the actual insect is considerably smaller than the size of the wing, they may be difficult to find.

Preventing Future Infestation

If the termites have just arrived in your home and are looking to colonise, you've got more time to play with. After all, it will typically take them a great deal of time to establish a new colony and to eat enough of your timber framed home to create a significant problem.

A Top Priority

In any case, you must book a termite inspection as soon as possible. Bring in the experts, and they will know exactly what to look for and conduct some simple, strategic tests to look for an existing problem. They may also advise you to put in place traps, baiting stations or other preventative measures to ensure that you do not run into any problems in the future.

For more information on a termite inspection, contact a professional near you.

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