Termites are small, wood-eating insects that are found all over the world. These pests can cause damage to your property by silently eating away at wood.
Termite wings are a distinguishing characteristic that can help you identify these insects. This article will discuss termites with wings and help you learn how to identify them so you can take steps to protect your home from these damaging pests.
Termite Wings
Termite wings are the reproductive parts of termites that help them to fly. Termites have wings because they need them to mate and start new colonies.
Usually, termites only develop wings once their colony has matured and needs to expand. When this happens, winged termites, also known as swarmers, will leave the nest and search for other termite colonies that are mating.
When swarmers fly out of the nest, they use pheromones to find their way to the appropriate colony. They will also travel a short distance before landing, losing their wings and seeking cover.
Once the swarmers land, they will seek out their mates and mate with them. They will then build a small nest to protect themselves from predators and to give them space to grow.
While swarming is a natural part of the termite cycle, it can be a sign that a problem is present in your home. You should contact a professional pest control expert immediately to get an inspection and a plan for extermination.
Swarmers are usually spotted around light sources. They equate light with the outdoors, so they will be drawn to lights like motion lamps, porch lights and utility lights. If you notice a swarm of flying termites around any source of light, it is important to have a termite professional inspect your home.
Most swarmers are weak fliers, so they don’t stay in the air very long. They fall to the ground after a short flight, which is influenced by wind currents.
Often, you will see discarded wings in areas where termites have swarmed. These discarded wings are an indication of a large amount of termites that have dispersed from a colony.
These discarded wings are an indication of swarmers from drywood and subterranean termite colonies. If you notice termite swarmers with wings on or attached to their bodies, then they are likely drywood termites and should be inspected as soon as possible by a professional.
Swarmers are a common sight in many homes during the spring and summer months, especially near exit points around the property. This is because they are eying light as a signal to go outside and start looking for new termite colonies.
Termite Swarming
A termite swarming in your home is a sign of a serious infestation. It is also a good sign that you should call an exterminator right away for assistance.
Swarming occurs when termites with wings leave a colony to establish new colonies. These winged termites, called alates, are produced when one colony reaches maturity and begins to expand.
The alates, which are usually nymphs, move into an area with cellulose (a plant material) and adequate moisture for survival. They forage and eat a variety of cellulose-containing foods, and they develop into workers as the colony grows. They tend the brood, help to build and protect the nest, and feed the king and queen.
Male and female alates swarm in large numbers, releasing a variety of pheromones to attract potential mates. Once the swarmer finds its mate, it breaks off its wings and begins searching for a place to build its nest.
Once they find an appropriate location, the swarmers begin to mate with other termites, forming a new colony. A new queen and king will then be selected and the colony established.
Termite colonies are made up of many different types of termites. They include alates, workers, soldiers and secondary reproductive termites.
While the majority of termites live underground, a few species are capable of flying. These species, which are known as Formosan subterranean termites, have wings that allow them to fly when they reach mature size in warm weather.
Swarmers are attracted to light, which is why you may see them around windows and doors or around lights in your home. They are not dangerous, but they can cause significant damage to your property if the infestation is severe.
If you see a swarm, collect all of the dead insects and their wings for your exterminator to identify later. They will have no idea which insect was the swarmer, so you need to make sure you have a good picture of all of them before the exterminator can assess your situation.
Swarming termites can occur in any type of structure, but they will often appear around window and door frames, or near a structure’s lights. They may be a sign of an existing infestation, or they can be the first signs of an imminent problem.
Termite Nests
Termite nests are complex structures built of a mixture of soil, saliva and dung. They are incredibly porous and rely on ventilation to circulate air and keep the nest from overheating.
Depending on the species of termite, the mound can house thousands of workers and their children, and have storage chambers for wood as well as fungus gardens. This allows the insects to control temperature inside the nest, and ensures they have the nutrients necessary to thrive.
A team of scientists has discovered how these mighty creatures manage their climate and ventilation by studying the microstructure of termite nest walls. Using high-resolution scanning technology and computer simulations, they found an intricate network of pores, called micropores, on the exterior walls of termite nests.
According to the researchers, these pores regulate ventilation and moisture in termite mounds by regulating gas exchange. They also allow for drainage of rainwater, which is vital to termite survival.
To understand how these microscopic pores work, Kamaljit Singh, an Earth Science professor at Imperial College London, and his colleagues analyzed two African termite nests. The mounds, built with a different construction material for each nest, differed in their features, but both had similar internal walls.
The study showed that both sets of nest walls had an intricate network of micropores. These pores were small deep within the wall and transitioned to larger pores near outer walls, allowing for drainage of rainwater and carbon dioxide.
These pores are like the way your lung has many smaller and bigger pores, but the difference is that in a termite mound, these pores are arranged on the outside of each other. This helps the nests breathe and drain water, and it also keeps the soil at a consistent temperature.
“The idea is that this network of pores works by regulating the flow of gases, and so it helps control the moisture in the nest,” said Dr. Singh, who led the research.
Termite nests are an excellent model for designers, architects and engineers seeking to build comfortable, eco-friendly buildings that function in a range of climates. The findings may even help architects create buildings that mimic the mound’s remarkable ventilation and climate-control systems.
Termite Identification
If you’re noticing winged termites at your home, it’s important to identify them as soon as possible. Taking the time to do so will help you prevent costly damage to your property and ensure that the termites are eliminated before they have a chance to spread.
The first thing you should look for when identifying termites with wings is their size and shape. The wings are generally long and resemble the body of the insect, extending past the abdomen.
They are usually translucent or milky in color, depending on the species. The front and back wings are usually the same size, with a vein pattern.
In addition, the venation patterns of termite wings are distinctive and can be used to distinguish them from other insects. Subterranean and drywood termite wings have two major veins along the front edge of the forewing, with cross-veins that form cells that are rectangular or square in shape.
Another key distinguishing factor is their antennae. The termite antennae are straight and have a more pointed tip than the ant’s antennae. The termite also has four wings of equal size, whereas the ant has three.
Wings are generally laid flat over the back of the insect when it is resting, and broken off after a mating flight. Termite swarming season is typically in the spring, and these winged insects can be found swarming around your home during this time.
Swarming termites are often accompanied by other castes of termites, including alates, males and females. These are reproductives that leave their nest in the springtime to mate and start a new colony.
Termites are highly destructive insects that can cause significant damage to your home and other wooden structures. They are primarily known for their ability to consume wood, which is what makes them so dangerous.
A few signs that you may have termites can include tubes of mud on the foundation or exterior walls of your home, termite droppings, and hollow-sounding wood when it is knocked upon. Termite tunnels are also a sign of an infestation, and can be seen as narrow tubes or stalactites that are made from dried mud.