Drywood termite swarming season spans from August to November. They swarm on hot and humid days. The number one termite activity that leads to tenting is swarming. After experiencing a swarm, even the most steadfast against fumigation will relent. 

Apparently, drywood termites don’t celebrate Labor Day. Or maybe they do, and they all decided to leave their colonies to observe the holiday.

Whatever the case, Labor Day 2026 was a hot one. Temperatures approached triple digits, and the humidity made San Diegans question the “perfect weather” tax we all pay. I mean, if San Diego’s high cost of living produces the same miserable weather as the rest of the country, is it time to sell?

Anyway, California Termite observes Labor Day. I was happily sitting on the couch, enjoying my air conditioning and feeling thankful that I wasn’t crawling around an attic that felt more like an oven. The problem was, my phone wouldn’t stop ringing.

I refused to answer.

“How dare these people keep calling! It’s a holiday.”

But what would I have done if fifty to one hundred flying termites had suddenly appeared out of nowhere and put on an air show in my living room? I always ask customers if they experienced a swarm and the ones that say yes remember it like it just happened. 

This might be one of the times when being a small company has an advantage over being a big one. I’m sure many people would assume the big companies were closed. But a smaller, family-owned company?

“Maybe this guy will answer.”

I ignored the calls. Even if I had answered, there was little I could do. A termite inspection is always required, and unfortunately, it’s not always obvious where the little buggers came from.

The next day was just as hot, and the calls increased. I felt like Lucy and Ethel working the candy conveyor belt. I was working, but I couldn’t do three things at once: inspect, treat and answer my phone.

I felt overwhelmed, but thankful.

I imagine the most in-demand services, depending on the circumstances, are A/C repair, plumbers, appliance repair, roofers… and on a steamy day in September, termite companies.

One last thing. We have more than two hundred customers, and one of the biggest fears of any termite company owner is having a bunch of customers suddenly experience a swarm inside their homes.

We had only two this season.

One was in a garage. The other was in a kitchen.

We went out the next day on both occasions. In the garage, we found where the termites were coming from. In the kitchen, we believe they may have been coming from inside a wall, so that’s where we treated.

Two swarms out of more than two hundred customers.

Two customers who needed us.

Two customers we were able to help the next day.

I’d say we’re doing something right.