When termites are flying, it is often a sign that they are swarming. They are seeking mates and hunting for a new place to colonize.
Termite colonies have three castes: workers, soldiers and reproductives or alates.
Alates, the reproductive caste, are the only type of termites that can grow wings. They are responsible for seeking mates, laying eggs and starting new colonies.
Alates
Alates, also called swarmers, are the reproductive members of termite colonies. Unlike workers and soldiers, which focus on building the nest and eating wood, alates are responsible for creating new colonies. They have wings, and their sole responsibility is to find a suitable place to nest and start a colony.
During the swarming process, hundreds to thousands of termites fly out to seek a mate and establish a new colony. Many die along the way, but those who survive make it to their new homes alive.
Swarmers are usually found outside during warm weather and after big rains, though you may see them indoors if your home isn’t in a particularly harsh climate. Termite swarmers are a sign of an advanced infestation, so it’s a good idea to call an exterminator if you see them around your home or property.
Before the swarming starts, termite workers prepare exit locations for the alates, so they can easily launch themselves out from the colony. They also station termite soldiers nearby to protect the swarmers from predators and to prevent them from coming back into the colony once they have left.
Once the alates have launched themselves, they search for a place to settle, and they often discard their wings. They do this because they no longer need them to be able to fly and look for a place to live.
Some termite alates, however, do survive and make it to their new homes. These are typically those that swarmed out of mature colonies that are three or more years old.
They are also more likely to be killed by wandering predators, such as lizards and birds. Some die due to injuries, dehydration or a lack of food.
In addition, some alates become trapped in spider webs or are eaten by ants, fire ants or geckos. Even if they do make it to their new home, some will not be successful in reproducing.
The swarming stage of the termite life cycle is a delicate balance between the needs of the alates and the colony. As a result, the process takes years to develop. During this time, the alates can be very aggressive. They destroy wooden materials, including stumps and roots. They will also attack structures, such as your house.
Swarmers
Termites are a pest that can cause serious damage to your home and other structures. They are a common threat that needs to be dealt with quickly.
During a termite colony’s mature years, it may produce winged alates that are known as swarmers. These swarmers are reproductive members that leave the nest to mate and start new colonies.
Swarming termites are a common sight in the spring and summer. Typically, they emerge from cracks in buildings or holes in the ground through swarm tubes made by worker termites.
In most cases, swarming termites have a short lifespan. Only a small percentage survive to find a mate and establish a new termite colony. They often die of natural causes and environmental conditions, such as dehydration, before they can reach their mate and nest site.
A swarm of termites can be an early sign that your property is infested with termites. If you see swarmers, it is important to call in a licensed termite expert who can inspect your property and determine whether you have a termite problem or not.
Termites swarm for different reasons, depending on the type of insect. Some species will swarm twice a year, while others are seasonal.
When termites swarm, they will move from their nest in a large group and scout for a new location to begin a colony. When they find an appropriate spot, they will form a hive and a female will become the queen.
They will then mate and begin laying eggs, which will be used to make more workers and soldiers. These young termites will eventually join the workers in the hive to help defend the queen and other members of the colony.
Swarming termites usually stay in the hive for a couple of days until they find a suitable location to mate and establish a new colony. Once they do, the swarmers will drop their wings and begin to land.
Once they are back on the ground, they will continue to scout for a suitable nest site. They will also search for food and water sources.
Mud Tubes
Termites build tunnels to allow for easy access to and from their nests in the soil or wood that they consume as food. Using saliva, waste, and nearby dirt, they craft these tubes to help them get to food, travel around obstacles, and avoid predators.
Like subway tunnels used by people, mud tubes offer transportation and shelter for subterranean termites as well as protection from raiding predators. They are also a key part of the termite’s survival strategy because they are a means to conceal their colony from incoming pests.
Most of the time, mud tubes are found in and around foundations, walls, and basements. Mud tubes are 1/4 to 1 inch in diameter and are a common sign of termite infestations.
They are made out of mud and saliva that termites exude when they chew through wood. If you see a tube, it means that termites are trying to find a way to enter your home.
If you notice these mud tubes, call a professional to inspect your home for termites and get the treatment you need. They will be able to identify the problem and recommend the right solution for you.
Termites are very productive, as long as they have access to food and water. They can complete basic mud tubes in a few days but may need many weeks to strengthen and adapt them for regular use.
In pre-existing structures, like rotten wood or concrete cracks, termites can create mud tubes faster because they don’t have to build them from scratch. However, they can take much longer to complete mud tubes if the structure is new.
The most common mud tubes are the ones that termites use to transport themselves from their nests in soil or wood to their sources of food. They are quarter- to 1-inch in diameter and can be seen along foundations, walls, basements, window frames, and under porches and decks.
Another type of mud tube is called an exploratory tube, which termites create when they first start exploring your home. These are thin and delicate and have a unique look, as they don’t usually connect to wood.
Termite Treatment
A termite treatment is a type of pest control that uses a specific poison to kill or drive off termites. It can be done through a spray, bait, or other treatment method.
A spray may consist of a liquid termiticide that is applied to the home’s interior or exterior. This method of termite removal may also involve the application of a barrier treatment, which will stop termites from entering the structure.
Alternatively, it may be possible to treat the home through a fumigation method. In this method, a large tent is sealed around the home and an odorless gas is pumped into the structure. The fumigant penetrates deep into the home and can be a very effective form of termite control.
Another termite treatment option is a nematode, which are microscopic parasitic worms that hunt for and consume the bodies of termites. They can be a very effective way to eliminate termites and can help prevent future infestations as well.
These nematodes will enter the body of the termite, where they will release a symbiotic gut bacterium that will induce blood poisoning and eventually kill the termite. They are very effective in reducing the number of termites and can be used in conjunction with other termite treatment methods such as baits and barrier treatments.
It is important to note that nematodes are a long-term solution and they will not be able to eliminate a termite colony in one treatment. This means that a homeowner will need to make sure that the nematode is retreated annually to ensure that the termite population remains at bay.
Termites are wood-eating insects and are known to be a serious problem in parts of the country. They can cause significant damage to your home if left untreated.
In order to prevent termites from gaining access to your home, it is important to seal all holes and cracks in the foundation, as well as any gaps or gaps around windows and doors. In addition, it is a good idea to remove any cellulose materials from within 25 feet of your house’s foundation.