Experts are recommending that local families call professional exterminators if they discover termites, the wood-devouring pests that have been increasing as the temperatures have risen.
Common household pesticides can be ineffective against an infestation, and may cause the termites to spread, experts said.
The number of reports about termites has increased greatly in recent days.
At the Hongkou Housing Urgent Repair Center, an employee said she picked up more than 20 calls about termites between Saturday afternoon and yesterday at noon, Shanghai Television Station reported yesterday.
Termites, also called white ants, enter the mating season in March and breed until June. Winged termites looking to mate make their appearance in swarms during this time. Termites eat wood, do great damages, and some even bite humans.
Experts from the center said the termites seen these days are Reticulitermes, which don't bite people.
Residents who see flying termites can fill a basin with water and use a lamp to attracts flying termies to trap them. Those with infestations can use tape to seal holes and call professionals to deal with the termites.
As it gets warmer, there will be more termites including Copotermes which have a nest, bite people and usually appear in May.
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