It's almost May. And, while that makes many people think of Mother's Day and the end of the school year, to the average multifamily property owner, it's a time of anxiety. To them, the month of May signals the beginning of termite swarm season.

From May to June of every year, the likelihood of a termite infestation increases as winged kings and queens meet, mate and start new colonies. Of course, the more wood, the greater the possibility; and that's a big risk for multifamily properties.

What It Is

Termites101.org describes swarming as follows: "The combination of warm temperatures and rain in the spring leads swarmers to leave the nest in large numbers by flying through mud tubes, which are specially constructed tunnels for the termites to use to exit the colony. Termites continue to swarm throughout the warm season, although these swarms are less frequent than those during the spring. Colonies normally swarm only once per season, but may swarm multiple times. Later swarms generally do not match the intensity of the first swarm."

How to Spot’em

So, how do you know you have a termite issue? The following are five tell-tale signs:

1. Mud tubes—A rather obvious sign, termites tend to leave behind pencil-size tunnels to and away from their nests. These tubes can be easily seen leading up from the soil and into the building structure.
2. Hollow-sounding wood. Because they are devouring the wood’s insides, it will quickly take on a hollow sound.
3. Cracked or distorted paint. Seen as an easy point of entry, cracks in paint can give way to a swarm of termites.
4. Wings and ‘sawdust.’ Termites shed their wings after swarming and tend to leave an obvious pile of them behind, very close to their point of entry. Then, as they chew their way through the structure, debris is left in their path.
5. Swarms. Of course, as the name suggests, if you happen to spot swarms of winged insects around the property, it might be time for an inspection.

How to Treat

Because the damage caused by termites can be extensive and expensive, prevention is your best bet. Pest World provides a very comprehensive list of steps you can take to help ensure your property is protected. 

If you are already faced with a termite issue, however, it is your obligation as landlord to treat it. According to a recent article: “Landlords are responsible for pest-control issues with a rental property, including a termite infestation. Whether there is evidence of a few termites or swarms of them, the landlord must take action to eliminate the problem.”

You are best served to hire a trained professional. And, the sooner the better. Termites can cause thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars in damage.