Table of Contents
What are flying termites attracted to?
Attraction to Light Like most nocturnal insects, the pests will be drawn to light sources around the home, such as porch lamps, motion lights, and light reflected from inside. It is common to see swarms of alates around utility lights, as well.
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 does it mean when you have flying termites?
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 tell if you have flying termites?
A flying termite swarm near the home nest could indicate a large colony in the yard or some other nearby location. Residents who find multiple alates inside, notice their shed wings around doors and windows, or see them emerging from the house exterior may have an active infestation inside their 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.
Where do flying termites hide?
Most often found in attics, this species requires little moisture in the wood that makes up its diet. No matter what their wood preference, termites enter your home in search of food, water and shelter.
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.
How long do flying termites last?
A termite swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source, typically collecting around windows and sliding glass doors. If these termites cannot find soil, they will die in a few hours from dehydration.
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.
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 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.
What does flying ant look like?
Flying ants, also called carpenter ants, are winged swarmers with elbowed antennae, pinched waists and hind wings smaller than their front wings. Their bodies can be black, brown or a reddish color.
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 do you tell if termites are active in your house?
Keep an eye out for the following signs of termite activity: Discolored or drooping drywall. Peeling paint that resembles water damage. Wood that sounds hollow when tapped. Small, pinpoint holes in drywall. Buckling wooden or laminate floor boards. Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor.
Are termites hard to get rid of?
Termites can be a difficult pest to deal with, especially in warmer weather. For smaller infestations, there are many DIY solutions that homeowners can use and apply to get rid of termites. However, when dealing with large infestations, homeowners should call a professional exterminator to handle the issue.
What are signs of termite damage?
These tell-tale signs include: Discolored or drooping drywall. Peeling paint that resembles water damage. Small, pinpoint holes in drywall. Buckling wooden or laminate floorboards. Tiles loosening from the added moisture termites can introduce to your floor. Excessively squeaky floorboards. Crumbling, damaged wood.
What does termite swarm look like?
Another way to identify if you have a termite swarm is to look around the entry site, usually a door or window sill, for discarded wings. Swarming termites have temporary wings that fall off soon after landing. If you see discarded wings where you see the swarm, chances are it’s not flying ants!Feb 7, 2018.
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.
