In New York, the warm, sunny days after the rainfall will bring out swarms of insects from their winter nests. This mix awakens swarms of insects such as termites, wasps, bees, and ants that can make their way into your home and yard. Obviously, these swarms are unwelcome guests to any home or backyard gathering. There are, however, ways to protect your home and yard from infestations
Insects that come out in spring are foraging for food and seeking to mate. While this usually is taking place outdoors, keep in mind that they also could be seeking shelter and someplace to nest inside your home. At Magic Exterminating, we know how pests think and where swarms are likely to go in your home.
Common Swarming Pests:
WASPS – Wasps come in a variety of colors which include yellow, brown, red and metallic blue and have a narrow waist and pointed abdomen. They nest in wood fibers that they have chewed into a pulp and formed a honeycombed umbrella shape.
BEES – Bees that aren’t your friendly honey-making variety come yellow with black stripes. They tend to nest in piles of wood or other yard debris.
ANTS- Carpenter ants, Acrobat ants, Odorous House ants, and Pavement ants are all swarmers and are sometimes mistaken for termites. Ants have a narrow waist between the head and abdomen while termites have a straight body from head to tail.
TERMITES – Termites come in shades of brown, white and black and range in sizes ⅛ of an inch to 1 inch. They have antennae and wings and can be mistaken for ants. These are the types of termites known to the area:
- Subterranean termites. These are the most widespread and destructive of termites nationwide. The most common are Eastern Subterranean Termites and Formosan Termites. They all consume cellulose and can cause extreme damage to structures.
- Eastern Subterranean Termites. These termites cause homeowners the most damage and also are the most common termite in North America. They are prone to swarm in late February or early March. They make mud tubes that are used as tunnels from the ground to their food source,
- Formosan Termites. This termite is known to be the most destructive of termites, but only found in certain locations. They usually swarm later in spring, around mid-May.
Protecting Your Home and Yard From Swarms of Pests
Below are a few tips to discourage pests from residing in your space.
- Cleaning up after outdoor BBQ and other cooking as wasps and bees are looking for and are attracted to protein-based foods. Leaking faucets or hoses provide a water source that attracts not only wasps and bees but termites and ants.
- Patching cracks or crevices in walls, repairing broken panels or siding to discourage wasps from nesting in your walls. Keep your yard clean of heavy debris as this is an attractive nesting location for pests of all kinds.
- Termites swarm in the early spring months, looking to establish new colonies. They are attracted to water sources, and again repair leaking faucets or pipes as they are attracted to a moist environment. Avoid storing items in wooden or cardboard boxes, try plastic storage bins instead.
- Ants such as odorous house ants, nest in walls and beneath carpeting. Keep organic debris such as leaves and piles of wood away from your foundation. Store leftovers in airtight containers and keep areas clean of food debris and dirty dishes. Ants are attracted to sweets as well as protein-based foods.
- Carpenter ants unlike termites do not consume wood but will make tunnels into the wood to create nests causing structural damage. If you see tiny piles of sawdust or hear faint rustling noise in your walls you may have an infestation. While not as damaging as termites, if left unchecked they can cause serious damage to structures or other wooden objects.
We Are Here to Help
When pests find their way into your lives, call the experts at Magic Exterminating. We have proudly serviced NYC and surrounding areas for over 62 years. Our professionals provide year-round protection for you and your home. Call us today for a free quote!
