Winged or alate termites are also known as the swarming termites. While these flying termites can look quite intimidating, they really don’t cause any structural damage to your home or building. Their sudden appearance, however, is a warning sign that it’s time for a professional inspection.
What Are Flying Termites?
Termite swarms, unfortunately, are common and necessary for the survival and dispersal of termites. When swarming termites, or alates, make their way out of a nest inside a home, they will attempt to squeeze through wall and foundation cracks to reach air for the first time.
The swarming termites are attracted to light, so they can often be found near light fixtures and/or windows. Termites will swarm only after a colony reaches a specific size and the weather conditions are ideal for flight. If you see a swarm of termites near your home, then it likely indicates that there is a well-established colony of termites already inside your home.
Winged termites, however, are not the same as the termites that can cause damage to your home. The flying termites are larger than the worker termites. These termites will also appear darker with compound eyes. The worker termites are smaller, white, and blind.
Flying termites will wait until conditions are ideal to leave their colony in search of a new area to infest. The typical termite colony can produce anywhere from hundreds to thousand of swarmer termites.
When Will Termites Swarm?
The flight timing will vary by subgroup. Subterranean termites, for example, will swarm during the springtime and in daylight. Drywood termites won’t swarm until late summer or early fall. Dampwood termites tend to swarm during the summer.
Regardless of subgroup, all termites will wait until a day after a rain shower and when the winds are very low. Damp soil aids in the nest-building process for newly paired mates, and humidity will offer better survival rates. It is possible for termites to swarm indoors purely by accident.
Signs Of Termites Swarms Near Your House
Swarmer termites are actually not very good fliers, and their wings will break off after just a short period of time in the air. The wings tend to fall off as soon as they land because they do not plan on flying again. Discarded wings is undoubtedly the biggest warning sign of an infestation near your home.
When you discover the discarded wings, it means the colony is in the area but has yet to enter your home. However, this is the time when a professional inspection is needed. Flying termites can actually swarm inside your home, looking to establish new colonies.
Termite Control Phoenix Metro Area
Poor Boy Termite Control can solve all of you termite issues. We only deal with termites as the name implies. We use thermal imaging, with no drilling or guessing. At Poor Boy Termite Control we detect termites and treat them. If you have a termite infestation, Call Poor Boy Termite Control at (480) 994-4240 and schedule an appointment before the problem gets worse!
