Table of Contents
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.
Do flying termites destroy homes?
So next time you see flying termites there is no need to panic because they will not cause any damage to your home. This only indicates that a termite colony is nearby. When this happens in or around your home, be sure to call Terminix for a free termite inspection.
How do I stop swarming termites in my house?
During swarming season, keep doors and windows shut as much as possible. Keep outdoor lights turned off at night also as they will attract swarming termites. Keep firewood stored at least 20 feet away from your home and elevated off the ground. Keep plants a few feet away from your home.
Are flying termites hard to get rid of?
Flying termites are hard to get rid of. Though they may die quickly if they do not find a new home for their colony, they will live a very long time if they do find a new spot. Because of this, they are really hard to get rid of. These swarmers come once the colony is healthy and well, so you could have termites.
How do you stop flying termites?
How to keep flying termites out of your home Get rid of any potential entry points: Seal any gaps or cracks in the wooden foundation of your home. Make sure you don’t have a moisture problem: Check your crawl space, basement, roof, and foundation for signs of excess water.
Do Swarmers mean I 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.
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.
How do you find a termite nest?
What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don’t, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.
Do termites bite humans?
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.
How long does termite swarm last?
How Long Do Their 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.
Do swarming termites mean infestation?
If you see a swarm of termites around your home, then there likely is a well-established colony of termites living in or near your home. For many homeowners, a termite swarm may be the most visible sign of a termite infestation.
What time of day are termites most active?
Subterranean termites swarm during the day, particularly after rainfall. They’re most active in the spring. Invasive Formosan termites swarm at night and are generally at their peak in the late spring and summer. Drywood termites are also active at night, especially around lights.
How do I get rid of termites in my walls?
Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home’s exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.
What attracts termites with wings?
Termites generally rely on the wind to help carry them and thus don’t usually get far from the originating nests. Winged termites are particularly attracted to light sources, so they can often be found swarming around street lamps, windows, etc.
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.
What do you do if you have termite wings?
One of the first things you can do if you see discarded wings of termite swarmers is to vacuum them. Even if you see actual swarmers crawling on the floor, don’t hesitate to vacuum them as well. Once you trap them inside the vacuum, they will eventually die. But don’t throw them immediately into the garbage can.
Where do termites go after they swarm?
The swarming termites, or alates, leave their nests when conditions are right. They take flight and pair up with mates, and once they’ve secured their new home, usually in moist soil in direct contact with wood, they will shed their wings and start populating a new nest.
What color are termite swarmers?
Swarmers of each species vary somewhat in color: Drywood termites typically have red or brown bodies. Dampwood termites tend to be light yellow or tan. Similarly, Formosan termites are yellow-bodied, though they are distinguishable thanks to their slightly hairy wings.
Are termite swarmers harmful?
No. Termite swarmers are a nuisance particularly when swarms occur indoors. However, they do not cause structural damage; that’s done by the worker termites in a colony.
