Termites are a serious pest, so it’s important to know how to spot them when they start to appear around your property. That includes a look at their wings.
The wings of termites are typically dull and have two parallel veins along their top. They also have small cross veins between them.
Alates
Termites are known for their wings, and while they don’t bite people, it can be a scary sight to see a swarm of winged insects near your home. These are reproductive termites, or alates, who swarm during spring and summer in order to form new colonies.
They are part of the termite’s life cycle, and they are the only caste of termites that has wings. The termite’s three other castes, referred to as workers, soldiers and queens, do not have wings.
When a termite becomes fully mature and capable of reproducing, it can develop wings to help it survive in the outside world. These swarming alates are also more hard and darker than their parent colony to help them withstand the less humid air found in outdoor areas.
Once they’ve swarmed, the alates take off to find a location where they can begin their colony. They look for a small hole or depression in the ground or wood. This is the place where they will start their nest and lay eggs. They then mate with another alate and begin raising the next generation of termites.
This process takes two to four years, and a new colony is formed. The king and queen then care for the new colony until they have enough workers to take over.
The surviving breeding pairs then begin to build the new colony, provide water, and produce offspring. This is a long and laborious process that can take years to complete.
Unlike a swarm of worker termites that can eat through the wood of your home, reproductive alates cannot. These are not dangerous to people or pets, and they can easily be removed from your home by pest control professionals.
However, if you have a large number of them, they may cause damage to your home. They’re a warning sign of a termite infestation and should be treated promptly.
Generally, a swarm of alates is seen during periods of high humidity. This is because the alates need to find a spot to start a new colony and mate with another alate. The majority of them do not survive their flight and die from desiccation or predation by other termites.
Swarmers
Winged termites are part of a special reproductive caste within the colony, called alates. They are the only members of the colony that have wings, and they are responsible for exiting the nest to search for a mate and begin new colonies.
During the spring and summer months, you may see termites with wings flitting near light fixtures and other exit points around your home. This is because they equate light with the outdoors.
The wings of these termites are elongated, with a pointed end and a thicker front edge, called the costa, which provides support during flight. These termite wings are also harder and more durable than the rest of the insect’s body.
These winged termites are referred to as “swarmers.” They leave the colony and head toward the nearest light source, where they hope to find a mate and begin a new colony. When they reach their destination, they shed their wings and become kings and queens of their new colonies.
Swarmers are the most visible signs of a termite infestation, so it’s important to identify them as soon as possible and call an exterminator to get rid of them before they can cause any further damage. These swarmers can be a sign that the foundation of your home is infested, so be sure to check for cracks and other openings, as well as moisture issues, like leaks or condensation, in and around your property.
When a colony of termites is infested, they will create tunnels that are referred to as mud tubes. These tunnels can be spotted through the wood, and they are typically seen along the foundation of your house.
In addition to these tunnels, a termite infestation can also lead to the growth of mud mold and mildew. Termites need wood to make cellulose, and they can only survive on this organic substance if it’s in the right temperature range and moisture levels.
As with other insects, termites use pheromones as a form of communication. These chemical cues allow them to communicate with each other and find the perfect mates for their colony. Once they have paired up, they can quickly start a new termite colony.
Pile of Wings
Winged termites are a common sight in homes in spring, and they can be a sign that you have an infestation. They can also be a helpful indicator that you need to call a pest control company.
They are a group of reproductive termites that have just swarmed from an existing colony to search for new mates. They then shed their wings and head off to form a new colony, where they will begin laying eggs.
Termites are a very important part of the world’s ecosystem. They recycle wood and plant material and reclaim soils that have been damaged by wind or water. They are also a popular food source for birds and other wildlife.
In fact, they are one of the most common insects in the world. They live in colonies and feed on cellulose. They can infest your home by consuming wood piles, paper, stumps and other materials around your property.
The most common way to spot these insects is to look for signs of a swarming termite colony or a pile of tiny wings. These are typically found around doors, windows and light fixtures in the springtime.
Alates are a subgroup of social insects, specifically termites and ants. They are born as nymphs (young termites) and go through a series of metamorphoses.
These nymphs are often spotted in the spring and early summer, during their mating season. They are attracted to lights that indicate they are flying to a place where they can start a new colony.
They are dark brown, tan or black in color and have two pairs of wings that are equal in length. These wings have a few veins that run parallel to their leading edge.
This is a different type of wing than those found in other flying insects, such as bees and butterflies. They are shaped like a circle with a central point that is larger than the other two points.
Unlike most insects, termite wings are not easily detached. They are long, and they have a thick waistline that separates them into two sections. These wings are also symmetrical and the forewings are usually larger than the hind wings.
Signs of a Termite Infestation
Termites are one of the most destructive pests that can invade our homes and businesses. They’re responsible for billions of dollars in damage each year, and they can be difficult to spot visually.
However, there are a few signs that you can look for to tell if you have a termite infestation and need to call an exterminator. These include mud tubes, excrement (frass), and discarded wings.
Mud Tubes
Subterranean termites create mud tubes to carry moisture from their nests to the food they eat. These mud tubes can be visible under siding and near where the ground meets wood surfaces. They’re also found in the soil around your home, especially around your foundation.
You can also notice them in the form of etchings on your drywall or wood. These etchings can appear in single lines or groups of lines that look like scratches. These are not normal stains, and are an early warning sign that termites are feeding on your drywall.
Another important sign is that termites can cause wood floors to sag or buckle. If you notice these, or if your floorboards are starting to get looser, call Biotech Termite and Pest Control for a professional inspection.
Hollow Sound
Termites can create hollow sounds when they burrow into wooden structures, like the beams in your walls. This means that the wooden structures are becoming weakened and can fall apart at any time. You can also hear the hollow sound when you knock on any infested wood.
Cracks in Wood
You can find cracks in any wood, but termites are most likely to cause them when they eat into it for a long time. If you see any cracks, or if you see any dents in your wooden furniture, call an exterminator.
Discarded Wings
During the springtime, male and female winged termites leave their nests to mate and search for a new home. When this occurs, you may see termite swarmers or small piles of discarded wings at window sills and doors.