First and foremost, If you have termites swarming your home, call GreenSeasons or your termite company of choice to inspect your home. While having a large swarm of termites in your home is unpleasant, it does not necessarily mean you have termites actively damaging your wood. These termites can travel from their originally colony which could be in a tree or some firewood. If this is a recurring event every year for you and others in your neighborhood, you or someone near you probably has an infestation. 

If you find pairs of wings and no termites, that means some termites may have paired up and will be starting a colony close by. It will take two pairing termites up to ten years to build up enough workers to cause real damage. Unlike our domestic termite which colonized underground, Formosan termites can start a colony in the wood in your home if they have 2 things: wood and water. Termites need wood and water to live. While your stuck with wood, you can stop the water. Make sure to thoroughly inspect your home, especially in that area for water leaks, drips or condensation buildup. We recommend having a licensed professional inspect your home at least annually for termites.

There are two types of homes in southern Louisiana: homes with previous termite damage and homes that will have termite damage.  The average termite colony can eat about 2.3 linear feet of wood per year.and sometimes go years without detection.  In the worst case scenario, if it is an average sized Formosa termite colony, it could eat that much in a week.

The unfortunate reality is termite infestations are inevitable without treatment.  If you do not currently have a termite contract on your home, even if you have never had termites before, you should make it a priority to secure one.

Following the advise below can reduce your exposure to termite infestation in your home.

Cellulose

1. Keep anything wooden at least half a foot off the ground.
2. Keep wooden mulch 6 inches below the top of your home's foundation.
3. Distance firewood piles from your home.
4. Remove tree stumps, limbs and dead trees from your yard.
5. Trim any limbs touching your home.
6. Keep crawl spaces well ventilated.  The moisture buildup can be enough for a termite colony to develop.

Moisture

1. Install drainage or have your yard drain any excess water away from your home's foundation.
2. If your home has gutters, make sure the water from them is diverted away from your foundation.
3. Keep irrigation from spraying on your home.
4. Plants should be about 4 feet away from your home.

Construction

1. For new construction  be sure to have a liquid termicide applied to any finished grade areas before the foundation is poured.  
2. Be sure to use termite resistant building material.
3. Recently there is a new stainless steel mesh that prevents termites access to the home.  It is being heavily used in Australia and  recently Hawaii.  Except to see it become more standard here in the future.
4. Any home expansion should be treated for termites.  The small gap between the original foundation and the new foundation is large enough for termites to enter your home.  Termites can enter through a 1/16" gap.
5. If you have had foundation issues, you will need to have a pest control professional inspect the cracks and determine if treatment is necessary.

Unfortunately, home treatment is not really a viable option.  There are just too many areas that an untrained home owner may miss.  This would leave your home open to more damage.  If you are under contract with a pest control company, you should call them immediately.  If you are not under a termite contract, you will need to call a pest control company in your area as soon as possible.