Adam Maclam is the owner of Augusta Exterminating Company. This spring, he is expecting to be busier than ever dealing with termites.

"They can destroy your home if you don't get it taken care of," says Maclam.

After a record breaking snowfall, he is gearing up and heading to homes all over the Shenandoah Valley.

Maclam adds, "We are starting to get a lot more calls this time a year, especially with the moisture. I think it's going to be a very bad termite season."

Increased water levels in reservoirs and soil has set the stage for the largest termite swarm ever to be recorded in parts of Virginia.

"They love moisture," says Maclam. "So once you have more moisture around, they are going to be more active."

Termites cause an estimated $5 billion a year nationwide. Maclam says people often do not even realize they have a problem until it is too late.

In talking about one such instance, he says, "The whole house, every beam and everything in the whole house was eaten by termites. They basically had to rebuild the whole house."

Maclam says homeowners should be proactive to prevent infestation, and he says now is the time to start when the weather is warming up.

"You will be able to see the mud tunnels. They have to bring mud in with them to survive because it keeps the moisture in," says Maclam.

Experts say homeowners should consider getting their houses inspected for termites at least once a year.