BATON ROUGE - As termite season gets going, the wet weather is acting as fuel for the tiny troublemakers. 

Residents across southern Louisiana have reported swarms of termites near their homes, and Jacob Cohn with Arrow Pest Control urges caution if you see one nearby.

"If you see a swarm, that typically means there's a mature colony within 100 yards of your house," Cohn said. 

Catching an infestation early is the key to preventing costly damage. Termites can enter the home through the smallest of cracks.

"They like plumbing penetrations, they like little cracks in windows, doorways, caulking, weep holes, any area where they can get in, they're gonna find that area and try to get in," Cohn said.

According to Cohn, the best way to protect your home is with the help of a professional. People without a proper license cannot purchase termiteacides and baits to trap them.

"If you're gonna put a hole in a wall and foam up the wall void, a lot of people don't know what they're doing. So that's why you want a professional to come out," Cohn said.