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Spring in South Texas brings beautiful weather, blooming flowers, and, unfortunately, termite swarms. If you're a homeowner in Brownsville, McAllen, or the surrounding areas, understanding what to look for before swarm season arrives can save you thousands of dollars in repair costs. Termites cause billions of dollars in property damage across the United States every year, and our warm South Texas climate creates the perfect conditions for these destructive pests to thrive year-round.
Don't wait until you see flying termites to take action. Contact BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control Company at (956) 948-6803 or through our online contact form to schedule an inspection today.
What Are Termite Swarms and Why Should You Care?
Termite swarms occur when winged termites, called alates or swarmers, leave their colony to mate and establish new colonies. This typically happens in spring when temperatures warm up and humidity increases—conditions we experience regularly in the Rio Grande Valley. A swarm means an established termite colony is nearby, and these reproductive termites are spreading to create new problems for homes in your neighborhood.
When you see a swarm, it's a clear sign that termites have already been active in the area for some time. Most termite colonies take three to five years to mature before they produce swarmers. By the time you notice flying termites, significant damage may have already occurred to nearby structures.
Early Warning Signs Before Swarm Season Hits
Mud Tubes on Your Foundation or Walls
One of the most recognizable signs of termite activity is the presence of mud tubes. Subterranean termites, the most common type in South Texas, build these pencil-width tunnels to travel between their underground colonies and their food source—your home. These tubes protect termites from predators and help them maintain the moisture levels they need to survive.
Check these areas regularly for mud tubes:
- Along your home's foundation, especially near cracks or joints
- On basement or crawl space walls
- Where your home's siding meets the foundation
- Around pipes or utility lines entering your home
If you find mud tubes, don't immediately break them open. Instead, document their location with photos and contact a professional for an inspection. Breaking the tubes may simply cause termites to rebuild them in a different location, making them harder to find.
Discarded Wings Near Windows and Doors
Before termites swarm, you might find small piles of discarded wings near windowsills, doorways, or other entry points. After swarmers find a mate, they shed their wings because they no longer need them. These delicate wings are all the same size and shape, roughly the length of a grain of rice.
It's easy to confuse termite swarmers with flying ants, but there are key differences. Termite wings are equal in length, while ant wings have one pair longer than the other. Termites also have straight antennae and thick waists, whereas ants have bent antennae and pinched waists. Finding discarded wings is a strong indicator that termites have already invaded your home or are attempting to do so.
Wood Damage That Sounds Hollow
Termites eat wood from the inside out, which means damage often goes unnoticed until it becomes severe. Tap on wooden surfaces around your home, including baseboards, door frames, and window sills. If the wood sounds hollow or papery, termites may have been feeding inside.
You might also notice:
- Wood that crumbles easily when pressed
- Blistering or darkening of wood surfaces
- Small holes in drywall with dirt or debris nearby
- Sagging floors or ceilings
Wood damage can be difficult to detect in its early stages, which is why regular professional inspections are so important. By the time damage becomes visible, termites may have been feeding for months or even years.
Frass or Termite Droppings
Drywood termites, though less common than subterranean termites in our area, create small piles of fecal pellets called frass. These pellets look like sawdust or coffee grounds and accumulate near infested wood. Unlike subterranean termites that use their droppings to build mud tubes, drywood termites push their waste out of small holes in the wood they're consuming.
If you find small piles of pellets near wooden furniture, beams, or structural elements, take a closer look. Frass is typically uniform in size and shape, with a six-sided appearance under magnification. This is a clear sign that termites are actively feeding in that location.
Environmental Conditions That Attract Termites
Understanding what attracts termites to your property helps you take preventative measures. South Texas homes face unique challenges due to our climate, and certain conditions make termite infestations more likely.
Moisture Problems Around Your Home
Termites need moisture to survive, and excessive moisture around your foundation creates an attractive environment. Check your property for standing water, clogged gutters, or poor drainage that directs water toward your home. Leaking pipes, both inside and outside your home, also provide the moisture termites seek.
Fix any moisture issues promptly. Ensure downspouts direct water at least three feet away from your foundation, repair leaking faucets and pipes, and maintain proper grading around your home. Reducing moisture not only helps prevent termites but also protects your home from other pest problems.
Wood-to-Ground Contact
Any wood that touches soil provides termites with direct access to food. This includes fence posts, deck supports, firewood stored against your home, and even landscape timbers. Termites can easily travel from the ground into these wooden elements and then into your home's structure.
Create a barrier between soil and wood wherever possible. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevate it off the ground. Replace landscape timbers with stone or concrete alternatives. If you have wooden deck posts or fence elements, consider treating them with termite-resistant products or replacing them with composite materials.
Why Early Detection Matters for South Texas Homes
The warm, humid climate in Brownsville, McAllen, and surrounding areas means termites remain active throughout most of the year. Unlike northern states where termites become dormant in winter, our mild winters allow these pests to continue feeding and causing damage with little interruption.
Early detection significantly reduces repair costs and prevents structural damage from compromising your home's safety. A small termite problem today can become a major structural issue within months if left unaddressed. Professional inspections can identify termite activity before you notice any visible signs, protecting your most valuable investment.
Many homeowner's insurance policies don't cover termite damage because it's considered preventable. This makes early detection and treatment even more critical from a financial standpoint. Professional termite control is far less expensive than major structural repairs.
What to Do If You Spot These Warning Signs
If you notice any of these early warning signs, take immediate action. Document what you've found with photos, note the locations, and avoid disturbing the area further. While DIY termite treatments are available, they rarely address the full extent of an infestation and can actually make the problem harder for professionals to treat effectively.
Professional termite inspections involve much more than a quick visual check. Trained technicians use specialized equipment to detect termite activity inside walls, under floors, and in other hidden areas. They can identify the species of termite affecting your home and recommend the most effective treatment approach for your specific situation.
Regular inspections become part of protecting your home over time. Annual termite inspections help catch problems early and give you peace of mind. Some home pest control plans include regular termite monitoring as part of comprehensive property protection.
Schedule Your Pre-Spring Termite Inspection Today
Don't wait for swarm season to arrive before checking your Brownsville or McAllen home for termite activity. The warning signs discussed above can help you spot problems early, but professional inspections provide the thorough evaluation your home deserves.
Contact BUGWORKS Termite & Pest Control Company at (956) 948-6803 or through our online contact form to schedule your termite inspection and protect your home before spring arrives.