Table of Contents
Size: Depending on the species, flying termites can range in size from 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch. Color: While worker termites are usually light in color, flying termites may be light in color, dark brown or black based on the species.
How can you tell flying termites?
Winged termites have a straight waist, straight antennae and their wings are equal in size. Flying ants on the other hand have waists that are pinched in the middle, bent antennae and two sets of wings, with the top set being larger than the lower.
Do flying termites mean infestation?
If you happen to find a handful of swarmers or even just a few discarded wings present inside your home, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have a termite infestation. So next time you see flying termites there is no need to panic because they will not cause any damage to your home.
What causes flying termites in your house?
Winged swarming termites emerge from cracks in your walls and foundation in large numbers. They can also come out though holes in the soil in your yard. They emerge through swarm tubes made by worker termites. If you find swarming termites inside your house then you have an infestation.
How big can termites get?
Termites range in size from one-eighth of an inch to one inch long. They can vary in shades of white, brown and black, depending on their type and age. Termites are sometimes confused with flying ants because both have wings and antennae.
How long do winged termites live?
Lifespan. Workers and soldiers live approximately one to two years. Queen termites may survive for over a decade under optimal climate conditions.
Do termite swarmers mean you have termites?
While the presence of termite swarmers doesn’t necessarily mean that you have an active termite infestation in your home, it could be the first warning sign. If you see a termite swarm, it’s important that you call a licensed termite exterminator immediately.
Why do termites suddenly appear?
Termites swarm after their original colony has reached a certain capacity level and is ready to expand. For most colonies, this happens once a year. Hundreds or even thousands of swarmers, called alates, are produced with the sole purpose of reproduction and expansion.
Do winged termites eat wood?
Flying termites do not eat wood. But they can drill a hole in the wood to get inside the wooden structure. In this guide, you found out what these flying termites are and where they come from. And most importantly, why you should be worried if you see flying termites in your home.
Are termites black with wings?
Winged termites are dark brown or black. These are the termites you are likely to see and inspect. Worker termites do not have wings, but still have the same antennae.
What does it mean when you find termite wings?
At certain times of the year, termite colonies produce “swarmers” – the winged adults (Figure 1) that fly away to form their own colonies. Swarming usually occurs during the daytime and is simply nature’s way of reminding you that termites are nearby.
How do you treat termite swarmers?
There are two methods for treating a subterranean termite infestation. One of those treatments uses a liquid termiticide, which is applied to the soil around the structure. The termite must pass through a treated zone in the soil to get into the structure, which disrupts their dinner plans.
Can termites go away on their own?
Can termites go away on their own after they have invaded a home or business? A. Yes, they can go away on their own. Without a termite treatment, there is no way of knowing when a healthy termite colony will return to re-infest a structure.
How do I get rid of termites without tenting?
Baiting systems, spot treatments, liquid termiticides (Termidor), soil treatment, wood treatment, orange oil, and even heat or cold treatments are all methods that have been used as alternatives to fumigation to varying degrees at success.
How long do termite swarms last?
A termite swarm typically lasts between 30 and 40 minutes and involves the termites swarming around a light source like windows or glass doors. If they don’t find soil, they’ll die within a few hours.
How do you know if termites are present?
5 Signs of a Termite Infestation Stuck Windows or Doors. Do you have a window or door that recently feels stuck, or suddenly became much harder to open or close? Damage under Paint or Wallpaper. Termite Swarmers & Discarded Wings. Mud Tubes. Termite Droppings.
How big is a mature termite?
They typically measure between 1/4 and 1/2 of an inch long and have soft bodies with straight antennae. The queens and kings are larger, capable of reaching over one inch long. Colors range from white to light brown where worker termites often appear lighter, while swarming termites darker.
Do some termites have wings?
Termites have four wings, each of which are equal in size and length that will stack on top of one another when not flying. They are also easily broken and it is very common to find these discarded, or broken wings around your home or area where you are experiencing a termite swarm.
How do you tell if termites are in your walls?
Common signs of termite damage to a wall include: Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. Faint ‘lines’ on drywall. A hollow sound when you tap on the wall. Bubbling or peeling paint. Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure. Jammed doors or windows.
What does winged termites eat?
Ants come into our homes looking for the food that we eat, such as sweet foods and protein sources, whereas the pest termites feed on wood and other cellulose sources such as paper.
Do flying termites bite?
Essentially, termites definitely bite wood and do attack other insects, but they do not bite people. Although homeowners experiencing an infestation should not be concerned about receiving bites from termites, professional extermination methods should be sought and implemented to protect the structure of your home.
