No one wants to encounter a pest of any kind in their home, but most homeowners can agree that termites are particularly dreadful. These wood-destroying organisms cause billions of dollars of damage to homes each year, and they can be extremely difficult to get rid of once they are inside your home.
Flying termites, known as swarmers, can be especially alarming to many Maryland homeowners because swarmers are often the precursor to an infestation. However, you don’t have to be powerless when it comes to defending against swarmers. In fact, eliminating flying termites early on can help stave off a future or impending infestation.
Can Termites Fly?
The only types of termites that can fly are alates, often referred to as swarmers. Alates are the reproductive members of the colony and leave to mate and establish new colonies. Once an alate takes flight, its lifespan is shortened greatly, and most will only live for about an hour until their wings fall off and they fall to the ground.
Why Do Termite Swarmers Fly?
Termite swarmers fly in order to breed and start new colonies. This flight signals the beginning of their short lifecycle, as they will die shortly after taking flight. For most termite colonies, this happens once a year, when a colony reaches its capacity. When a termite swarmer dies, their wings will fall off, and they will fall to the ground before being eaten by predators.
Should I Be Worried?
If you spot a termite in or around your home, speak to a pest control professional as soon as possible. Seeing a termite is never a good sign, as it is usually indicative that there are more you are not seeing. Having a trusted exterminator inspect your home as soon as possible will give you a greater chance of catching an infestation before it becomes even bigger and you can avoid potentially hundreds and thousands of dollars in property damage.
When Are Swarmers Most Common?
Termite swarmers are most active in the spring, typically between the months of April and May. This is the time of year when they will leave their colonies to mate and form new colonies, though it is possible to encounter termites throughout the year.
Signs to Look Out for Swarmers
When it comes to determining whether or not you’re dealing with a termite infestation, there are several telltale signs to look for. While you may spot some flying termites circling around your property, you need to be aware of the following signs:
- Wood damage in and around your home
- Discarded insect wings
- Mud tubes
- Frass
- Uneven or bubbling paint
- Hollow-sounding wood
These signs may also indicate an ongoing termite infestation, so be sure to call an exterminator immediately.
How to Eliminate Termite Swarmers
If you discover a termite infestation in your home, your best bet is to contact a professional exterminator immediately. Termites are notoriously difficult to get rid of, and an experienced pest control professional will be able to target the termites in your home to get rid of them safely and effectively. However, there are a few things you can do in the meantime to eliminate any termites you may run into and prevent them from returning:
- Vacuum any termites you see
- Store firewood a safe distance away from your home
- Weatherstrip your doors and windows
- Routinely inspect your home’s foundation
While these may help prevent and eliminate some flying termites, there is no silver bullet DIY solution for entirely getting rid of a termite colony.
When Should You Call a Professional?
When it comes to dealing with termites, you will want to contact a pest control professional at the first sign of an infestation. Termites can be incredibly destructive and can cause thousands of dollars in property damage, so it is imperative that you act fast and reach out to an exterminator immediately upon discovering termites in your home.
An exterminator will be able to perform a termite inspection to determine whether damage has already occurred and the extent of the infestation. They will also be able to come up with solutions to eliminate termites quickly, this saving your home from additional damage.
FAQs
How long do flying termites live?
Flying termites have an incredibly short lifespan compared to other insects and will typically only live for about an hour after taking flight. Shortly after taking flight, their wings will fall off and the termites will fall to the ground, eventually being eaten by predators.
Do all termite species have flying termites?
Contrary to popular belief, not all termite species have flying termites. Alates, also known as swarmers, are the only termites that have wings and can fly.
What attracts flying termites to certain areas?
Flying termites are known to be attracted to three main things: water, light, and wood. If you see flying termites in and around your home, they will most likely be found near areas that contain at least one of these resources.