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As temperatures gradually rise around the Qingming Festival, termites are entering their peak swarming season. Recently, yellow-breasted subterranean termites have been spotted in some areas of Zhejiang. These termites typically complete their emergence at the end of October of the previous year, and once the temperature rises to around 20°C, they will fly out of their nests to court and mate.
01 What can we do to prevent termite infestation?
Self-test 1: Are you in a high-risk area for termite infestation?
Termites are distributed across 28 provincial-level administrative regions in China.
Approximately 40-50% of houses in the Yangtze River basin are infested with termites.
In South China, approximately 60-80% of houses are affected by termites.
In some cities in Guangdong, the figure can reach as high as 90%.
Self-test 2: Are you in the midst of termite swarming season?
Yellow-breasted subterranean termite
Swarming period: Daytime
Swarming month: March-April
Black-breasted subterranean termite
Swarming period: Daytime
Swarming months: April-June
Formosan subterranean termite
Swarming time: Dusk
Swarming months: April-July
Black-winged subterranean termites
Swarming time: Evening
Flight months: March-July
The main swarming season for termites is from March to September. However, termite swarming can still occur even in winter, and the cause is heating equipment.
Self-test 3: Does your location contain significant sources of attraction?
Termite swarms are easily attracted to light, especially blue and violet light!
Self-test 4: Have you facilitated termite infestation?
Termites primarily invade through crawling, flying, and carrying.
Termites invade and cause damage by crawling from the soil into indoor spaces (95%).
Flying—4% of termites may swarm into the house.
The probability of termites being introduced by humans is less than 1%.
Once intruded, humidity and food become the primary attractants. Bursting water pipes, poorly ventilated environments, and wood/fibrous materials can all be potential hazards.
However, do not use insecticides at this time! Cover the areas where termites have swarmed out with cloth or tape and wait for a professional pest control company to handle the situation. Otherwise, you may disturb the termites, causing them to spread to more hidden areas, with potentially disastrous consequences.
Termite control is a highly specialized task, and it is difficult for non-termite control professionals to achieve complete eradication.
02 Termite Control Experts – Rentokil Initial Adds New Termite Control Equipment and Solutions
1. Intelligent termite monitoring system
Electromagnetic induction non-loop technology: no wire contact, non-metallic materials.
Fully intelligent and automated monitoring: Installed around the building (risk area) and in bushes, it automatically alarms when ants are detected, and the monitoring labor cost is low.
Remote real-time termite monitoring and early warning system: Reports termite monitoring information daily and keeps track of termite activity in the area in real time.
2. Termite light barrier solution
Establish a long-term light source barrier around the perimeter to control swarming termites that invade the surrounding environment. Kill them in large numbers with electric shocks. No special maintenance is required. Reduce the swarming density of termites in the perimeter, thereby reducing the number of termites that invade the room.
We will take targeted prevention and control measures according to the different stages of the termite problem, based on the actual situation on site. Rentokil Initial will tailor a solution for you based on the specific circumstances.