Top Tips for Handling a Termite Swarm (2023)

FAQs

How do you deal with termite swarms? ›

Spray the swarmers with a can of insect spray. They will die naturally unless they have access to soil, so emptying a can of insect spray is unnecessary. Try to seal the exit holes. Swarmers must escape and by sealing the holes with tape or other materials, this will only cause them to make new holes.

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.

Don't spray the swarming termite

Swarming termites are the key to where the colony is active. Instead, calmly and visually inspect for where the swarmers might be entering. Mark any areas with tape. Swarming termites cannot bite or sting and are incapable of causing any harm to you, your children, or your pets.

Swarms typically last a few weeks, although the start and finish can vary, depending on weather patterns and other local conditions. That said, seeing flying termites near your home is a reason for concern, as the closer these voracious pests get to your home, the bigger risk you run of having an infestation.

Drywood termites and one particular species of subterranean termite (R. hageni) typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November.

Since swarming termites are attracted to light, they often can be found near windows or light fixtures. Termites swarm only after the colony reaches a certain size and weather conditions become optimal for flight.

Dampwood termites swarm in Florida from late Spring to early Winter. Their flights occur at dusk or night and can get into homes when doors or windows are open at night with light attracting them into the house.

The Desert Drywood Termite – At night from June to September. The Pacific Dampwood Termite – From August to October, at dusk.

The life cycle of the termite begins with a mating flight, wherein swarming winged reproductive males and females leave established colonies and procreate. After fertilization, winged termites land and shed their wings, going on to form new colonies.

They can continue to swarm in the same location for three to four weeks after a chemical application has been applied. This is normal. Swarmers may use an existing mud tube, which workers abandoned after proper treatment, to leave the colony. Reproductives may also move through treated soil.

How far do termites fly when they swarm? ›

How far do termite swarms travel? Not very far! If a swarm catches a strong wind, it may go a few miles, but more often they will only travel a few hundred yards from their original nest.

Not only do rainstorms drive flying termites to mate during warm weather, moisture from rain also contributes to water damage in homes, thus attracting termites and other pests. In addition, rain can make getting rid of stubborn termite infestations even more difficult.

Does a Termite Swarm Mean Infestation? While spotting a termite swarm outside doesn't necessarily mean you have a major infestation inside, it indicates that termites are present nearby. You should be proactive to prevent damage to your home. Inspect your property for other tell-tale signs of termite infestation.

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.

Certain types of termites are more prone to swarming during the day while others will swarm at night. With indoor termite swarms, worker termites will create small, exit holes in door or window frames, baseboards, walls or any wooden structure.

Swarms of winged carpenter ants and termites often come out at night because of the high humidity levels as well as attraction to sources of light. Both flying termites and winged ants like to swarm in huge groups because they're searching for food, or pairing off with a new partner to establish a new colony.

Subterranean termites are the most common and have the largest swarms, sometimes numbering into the thousands. These termites swarm in the spring between March and June. While swarms don't necessarily mean you have a termite infestation in your home, they are a good indicator that there is a thriving colony nearby.

It's a common myth about termites that they swarm multiple times a year. The reality is that they only swarm once a year, typically in the spring when the temperatures start to hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

The arid-land subterranean termite usually swarms during daylight hours in the fall, late winter and early spring. The desert subterranean termite swarms during the summer, from July to September. This termite swarms at dusk, after a rain.

Swarming termites, also known as alates, are mature termites seeking mates. They do not eat wood, unlike their destructive worker counterparts. The presence of these flying reproductives indicates nearby colonies and can be a nuisance if they swarm indoors.

What color are termites when they swarm? ›

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.

Boric acid

You'll find boric acid as a powder. Sprinkle the powder around your home and directly into the soil where you suspect termite activity. Boric acid will help control and kill flying termites and prevent future ones from coming out.

Winged termites are particularly attracted to light sources, so they can often be found swarming around street lamps, windows, etc.

Slow-acting: Termite bait stations don't work as quickly as other methods such as liquid treatments. You may have to wait for a few months before the treatment works since the insects have to establish a feeding pattern first.

Use Bug Zappers

With this in mind, you should connect a bug zapper to attract termite swarms and electrocute them. This method is common among professionals and it's ideal for use outside your house. You can as well terminate termites using a flyswatter, though, not many people use this method.

February through May is generally considered termite swarm season, a period of time during which termites leave their established, mature colonies in search of new areas to colonize. These months are typically characterized by warm, moist weather, which is favorable to termite swarmers.

If you identified termites with wings or even just found wings in your home with no termites attached, you could be dealing with what is called a flying termite swarm. It takes a termite colony three to five years to mature enough to produce alates, known as termite swarmers.

It signals the start of a new termite colony. Swarming is the means by which sexually mature termites with wings leave their nest due to overcrowding or lack of sufficient food. Once the male locates a female he likes, they break off their wings, symbolizing that they are a couple.

Generally, all termite feces are small, measuring about 0.04 inches long. They are light beige to black, depending on the kind of wood the termites eat. Additionally, termite excrement is oval-shaped with six concave sides. Termite excreta usually forms tiny mounds that look like small piles of dirt or sawdust.

If you happen to find mud tubes on your property, then never remove them yourself, even if you plan on contacting a pest control professional later on. Once a mud tube is destroyed, termites have no problem creating another.

Should you vacuum termites? ›

To remove swarmers, use a vacuum cleaner. Most termites will die during this process, however, it is best to dispose of the vacuum bag. When termites start swarming, they often trickle out of a tiny hole over several hours or days so it may be necessary to vacuum multiple times over the next few days.

Answer: Termites cannot eat through concrete. The issue is that no matter how well poured, concrete will crack as it settles. When poured around plumbing, it will retract or shrink from around the pipes.

Swarmers (flying termites )

Some species swarm at night and are attracted to light sources. Other species will swarm in daylight, but all drywood termites tend to swarm after rain at particular times of the year.

This leads us to yet another negative point, namely that flying termites who find mates can live for more than a decade, creating thriving colonies whose primary occupation lies in eating wood, wood, and even more wood. That can translate into immense damage to your structure.

Termites can drown. However, they only drown after being submerged in water for an extended amount of time. They can survive underwater, but not forever. Depending on the type of termite, they can survive underwater for up to 16 to 30 hours and then they start to die.

Termites are more active in warmer climates, meaning they are worse and more active during summer. During the summer season, they don't have to hide deep underground as is usually the case during winter.

Termite damage can be a serious problem for homeowners. These small insects can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of a home, and if left untreated, can even lead to the collapse of a building.

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.

Rain Seems to Trigger Swarms

Flying termites, also called 'swarmers' or alates, will often emerge after rain from wherever they've been living. They start flying, often in large numbers. It can look like a large cloud or swarm of flying insects, hence the terminology.

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.

Are swarming termites attracted to light? ›

Attraction to Light

Some species of termites swarm late in the afternoon and early evening. 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.

Install Pea Gravel around the Foundation of Your Home

Install 8-10 inches of pea gravel next to the foundation of your home to keep your mulch from touching your home's foundation. Termites have a terrible time tunneling through pea gravel. Your home will say thank you.

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. Unfortunately for them, not every termite survives to form a new colony.

Once a location has been found, the wings will drop from the swarmers and they will then mate. The female that becomes part of the new colony during termite swarm season becomes the queen of that colony. She will then lay eggs. These eggs will hatch and the resulting termites will become the workers.

If swarming termites emerge from areas in and around your home, do not panic. The swarming termites will drop and die in a short period of time. You may vacuum them up or you can save some in a bag for our company to inspect. They do not eat wood, bite, or sting, they are simply a nuisance.

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.

Do Swarming Termites Mean An Infestation? If a swarm happens inside your home, most of them will not survive to establish a new colony but it does mean that your home is likely infested.

In most cases, the termite swarmers simply die if they cannot escape from your house. They may be attracted to light and die on window sills or open areas. Quite often you will only find dead insects or just the wings as seen in the picture to the right.

To remove swarmers, use a vacuum cleaner. Most termites will die during this process, however, it is best to dispose of the vacuum bag. When termites start swarming, they often trickle out of a tiny hole over several hours or days so it may be necessary to vacuum multiple times over the next few days.

What chemical kills termites? There are two main chemicals used to kill termites—fipronil and hexaflumuron. Fipronil is the specially designed chemical used as an active ingredient in many different liquid termiticides. In high enough concentrations, it can kill termites on contact.

How many times do termites swarm a year? ›

Termites Swarm Once a Year. Our last termite fact has to do with swarming. It's a common myth about termites that they swarm multiple times a year. The reality is that they only swarm once a year, typically in the spring when the temperatures start to hit 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.

Certain types of termites are more prone to swarming during the day while others will swarm at night. With indoor termite swarms, worker termites will create small, exit holes in door or window frames, baseboards, walls or any wooden structure.

Once they take flight, they typically only remain aloft for no longer than an hour. After that, their wings fall off, they plummet to the ground, and then they perish due to exposure or other termite-eating critters.

If termites swarm from within your home, it's a good indication your house may have an infestation. Termites swarming inside your home tend to gather around light fixtures and windowsills because they are looking for a way out of the house to form another colony. Their instinct is to fly toward lighted areas.