If you notice a swarm of small insects flying or crawling around in your house, you might have an alarming termite problem on your hands. The first thing you should do is identify the bugs that are in your home.
Termite wings are a sign of reproductive activity and indicate that termites are looking to establish new colonies. Other bugs with wings include carpenter and flying ants.
Termite Wings
Termites are an important pest to look out for because they cause billions of dollars worth of damage in homes and other structures every year. They’re silent destroyers, tunneling into wood and eating its cellulose–the organic compound within it that gives it strength and stiffness.
During their reproductive stage, a certain caste of termites can fly. This type of termite is called an alate or swarmer, and they’re found in some regions of the country.
These swarmers are poor fliers, so they usually don’t get far from their originating colony. Rather, they congregate in the air and mate with termites of the same species from other colonies.
Once they mate, the winged termites land, shed their wings and begin creating a new colony. They can live for years under optimal conditions.
Swarms of winged termites are common in the spring, around windows, light fixtures and other areas that attract a lot of natural light. It’s also possible to find small piles of tiny wings near these same locations–evidence that reproductive termites recently swarmed and then shed their wings.
The wings of swarmers are usually pale and appear veiny, translucent and white in color. They’re typically 1/4 to 1/2 inches long and are similar to the wings of worker or soldier termites.
If you see discarded termite wings in your home, vacuum them and take a few samples for professional identification. This will help you determine whether or not you need to call in a professional exterminator, and it’ll also prevent them from spreading to other areas of your house.
To distinguish between a flying termite and another type of insect, such as an ant, there are several key characteristics to look for. First, look at the waist of the insect. Termites have a thick waist that is about the same width as their body, while ants have a pinched waist that’s narrower.
Another difference between a flying termite and other insects is that it has two sets of wings, instead of just one set like ants do. This trait is unique to termites and is one of the biggest differences between termites and other insects with wings, including ants.
Termite Alates
Termite alates, sometimes called flying termites, are reproductive caste members in termite colonies that fly in order to mate and establish new colonies. This is a natural part of the colony cycle, which occurs when the termite nest reaches its maximum size and maturity.
Depending on the species, termite wings can vary in color, but most are transparent or pale in color. In some species, the wings may appear iridescent. This shimmering effect is caused by the way light is reflected off the wings.
These iridescent wings are typically more pronounced in subterranean termites than dampwood or drywood termites. Their wings also have fewer veins than other termite wings, with a more simplified pattern of cells.
They are usually about twice the length of the termite’s body, but some alates have longer wings than others. When these swarmers take flight to mate and establish their colonies, they will shed their wings afterward.
When a termite swarms, it can be seen in the early evening, especially when it is humid out. These swarmers are not dangerous, but they can be annoying as they fly around your home.
Winged termites can be tan, brown or black in color and between 6 and 9 mm long. These insects can be confused with ants, which are wingless and blind. The two insects look similar at first glance, but ants have a pinched waist while termites have a thick waist that is the same width as their bodies.
Another difference between ants and termites is their antennae. Termites have straight antennae, while ants have elbowed ones that curve at 90 degrees.
In addition, termite alates have poor eyes whereas ants have excellent eyes that allow them to see all around them. This helps them find mates and lay eggs.
While flying termites are not a direct threat to your home, their presence is a good indicator that there may be a termite infestation in the area. If you find a swarm near your home, it’s best to get rid of the infestation before it spreads.
Termite alates are only produced by mature termite colonies that are three or more years old. If you see alates around your home, it’s a good idea to call in the pros at Griffin Pest Solutions right away. We offer Sentricon treatments that will wipe out all termite colonies for good, helping you to keep your home safe and healthy.
Termite Swarms
Termites are one of the most destructive insects that can infest your home. They are capable of causing up to $5 billion in damage every year. Thankfully, you can protect your property from these insects by understanding the signs that indicate you might have a termite infestation.
During certain times of the year, termites produce swarmers that fly away to form new colonies. Swarms are also known as alates, and they can be a sign of an existing termite infestation or a warning that a new colony is near.
Most termite swarms occur in the spring, as the insects prepare to reproduce and expand their nests. This can happen for several reasons, but the most common is when a colony becomes overcrowded and needs to grow.
To prepare for the swarming season, turn off outdoor lights in May and June to deter these pests. This will keep swarmers from gathering around your property, and it will also help to prevent them from infesting your home.
If you do see a termite swarm, you should immediately call a professional pest control technician. This is because swarms can be a sign that an infestation has already started, and it’s important to get it taken care of as soon as possible.
Termites are incredibly social creatures, and they thrive in colonies that are constantly moving and growing. To prepare for the expansion of their colonies, termites start producing swarmers or “alates.” These termites are male and female.
Once the swarmers are released, they will seek out a mate. If they find a good match, they will mate, then shed their wings and search for a new location to establish their colonies.
It is often difficult to spot a swarm of termites, so it is important to have a qualified pest control professional inspect your home to identify any potential problem areas. Termites can be easily confused with other common garden pests, like ants.
Using yard materials that contain cellulose-rich substances, such as wood mulch, cedar or rubber mulch, will help to deter termites from swarming in your yard. You should also consider turning off your outdoor lights at night during the swarming season, to help prevent these pests from locating your property.
Termite Infestations
A termite infestation can occur for a number of reasons. These include moisture issues, wood in contact with a home’s foundation, and cracks in building exteriors. Moreover, different types of termites thrive in certain environments. For example, dampwood termites prefer moist wood that is damaged from a recent rainstorm, while subterranean termites need a way to travel to their food sources.
In the spring, when air temperatures rise, termite colonies can swarm. Swarmers emerge from their nests to find a new mate and a location to reproduce.
Termite swarms are not a sign of a serious infestation, however, they can be an indication that there is a termite colony nearby. If you see a large number of winged termites in your yard or inside your home, it’s important to get them out as quickly as possible.
The first thing you should do if you notice that there is a swarm of termites in your yard or around your house is to call a pest control professional. They can provide a thorough inspection and recommend the best course of action.
Another way to spot a termite problem is by looking for evidence of a mud tube. These tubes are created by termites as they move from their colony to their food source. The tubes are up to 6 feet long and are made from soil, saliva and feces.
These mud tubes can be found on walls, floors and ceilings and are up to about the width of a pencil. Generally, they’re located near window sills, door frames and other areas where there’s frequent contact with moisture or wood.
You may also see wing piles in your home if you’re having a termite problem, since reproductive termites leave their colony and head for the light. These wing piles are often seen on windowsills and near outdoor doors, as well as in places where there is direct exposure to the sun’s light.
Unlike flying ants, flying termites have translucent wings with veins that look like the veins on a butterfly’s wings. These wings are about a millimetre thick, slightly larger than an ant’s wings and are usually a lighter colour with beige or golden shades.