Texans Should Keep An Eye Open For Termites

Writer: Rosangela Davalos, (979) 862-1556, email: workn1@neo.tamu.edu
Contact: Dr. Harry Howell, (979) 458-0852, email: howell@tamu.edu

COLLEGE STATION – With termite swarming season beginning in some areas of the state, Texas homeowners
should be on the lookout for the pests, Texas Cooperative Extension reports.

“Swarming begins in the Rio Grande Valley in February and progresses northward,” said Dr. Harry Howell, an
entomologist with the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station. “The last swarms of native subterranean termites
will be in April and May in the Panhandle.”

The Formosan subterranean termite swarms from May 15 through June 15 with most of the swarms occurring
around June 1. Drywood termites swarm during August and September.
 
Generally, there's not much difference in swarming times from year to year.

“We do not notice that one year is any different from another,” Howell said. “There will be perhaps a week's
difference in swarming date but nothing else.”

The native subterranean termite is present in all parts of Texas, Howell said. Formosan subterranean and drywood
termites are present east of a line from Denton to Austin to San Antonio to Edinburg. All termites are destructive
to wooden structures and cabinetry.

All parts of Texas are equally affected by subterranean termites; there is no way to predict how hard they will hit.
Termites love moist and humid conditions, but they have adapted to dry areas as well, he added.

The estimated cost of control, prevention and repair in Texas is $350 million annually, “which is a very good
reason to have annual inspections,” Howell said.

Annual inspections by licensed pest control operators are the most effective method to prevent property damage
caused by termites, he said. The cost depends on the size of the structure. Howell advised homeowners to do a
pre-construction treatment of soil with termiticides. And look at different construction techniques, he added, for the
least appealing for termites.

For example, split level or sunken areas in slabs, that are not done properly, provide entry for termites, he said.
Also, planter boxes built against a house help termites climb through the soil and into the house. Stucco covering
should be terminated about 8 inches above the soil, or termites will find access to the house.

Installing physical barriers below the slab foundation stops subterranean termites from entering the structure,
Howell said.  For more information on termites, visit this Internet site: http://termite.tamu.edu .