Kelowna company, GoPro Pest Control, has been dealing with an increased number of termite infestations this spring.
The company's Charles Miller, a BC certified pest control technician, says unlike cyclical insects - there are no peak years for termite populations - but because a colony usually matures in 3 to 6 years - they can remain undetected for a long time.
"Any type of infestation such as termites, or an ant colony, usually they've been there for awhile before you even notice it," says Miller. "And then you realize that something is going on because you see these termites that look like ants, and they have wings, and they drop the wings so you see these discarded wings all over the place - usually around the furnace room, entry ways, places like that."
He says once they're in the house - they can do some real damage.
"Termites do injest wood, they're after the cellulose in the wood, so I've seen homes that they've had to replace large sections of the home because all of the joists have been eaten, the two-by-fours and things like that in the walls," says Miller. "They can definitely cause thousands of dollars in damage."
Miller says right now, termites are a problem up and down the valley. They've recently been called to Magic Estates in Kelowna and to Vernon - and are planning to head to Merritt to treat a 16-unit complex.
Signs of a termite infestation include: winged swarmers (or discarded wings) found inside a home; mud tubes on walls or foundations; damaged wood and cellulose-based materials. Homeowners should be on the lookout for cracked or bubbling paint and wood that sounds hollow when tapped.
Miller says if you do see signs of termites in or near your home, it is crucial to work with a professional to treat the infestation before serious damage is done.
He says the average treatment costs between $3,000 and $6,000, but the damage the insects can do can runs tens of thousands of dollars.