Have you ever noticed flying termites swarming around window sills and outdoor lights? Or worse, have you seen winged termites indoors? Termite swarmers are harmless on their own, but indicate a much larger problem nearby. So, if you’ve spotted termite swarmers in Baltimore, it’s important to know the right thing to do.

What Are Termite Swarmers?

Termite swarmers are the winged reproductive termites released from a particular termite colony when it has reached a large size. These termite swarmers are on a mission to breed and start their own respective colonies as termite kings and queens. They fly from their home colonies and gather in swarms attempting to successfully find a mate.

Termite colonies only release their swarmers under certain conditions. Most termite swarmers emerge around the first weeks of spring, but depending on the species, they can appear late into the fall. The period in early spring when termite swarmers are most active is known as “termite season.”

But while the activity of termite swarmers might be the only visible indication of termites on your property, it’s important to remember that termites are active year-round. They can survive cold temperatures but are invigorated by warmer weather. So, while termite season is a time to be on your guard against potential infestations, termite problems can occur at any time all year long.

What You Should Know About Termite Swarmers

If you see termite swarmers flying around on your property, you’ve probably got a termite infestation on your hands. Unlike wasps and bees that are designed for flight, termite swarmers aren’t very good in the air and can’t travel great distances from their home colonies. Spotting them outdoors or in the house is a sign of an established termite colony large enough to release reproductives.

Most property owners don’t realize they have a termite problem until it’s too late. Every year, some 600,000 American homes are damaged by termites, costing billions in repairs. A widespread termite infestation can be devastating for your property, and swarmers are a sign that there is a colony nearby that needs to be dealt with.

Outdoors, you can spot drywood termites gathering under outdoor lights and on windowsills. These drywood termite swarmers are most active at dusk. Termite swarmers flying around indoors during the day are subterranean termites.

How To Stop Termite Swarmers

There are a few easy things you can do around your property to keep termite swarmers at bay. The less hospitable your property is, the less likely termite swarmers are to start a new colony. Here’s what you can do:

  • Reduce moisture. Don’t let moisture accumulate around your property. Clear gutters of any blockages and ensure that water is flowing away from any soil that makes contact with buildings. Ventilate basement areas by opening windows and install a dehumidifier if possible.
  • Clean the yard. Get rid of the food sources that attract termites. Dispose of any rotting logs, fallen trees, decomposing leaf piles, and other organic debris. If you use mulch in your garden, try switching to a cellulose-free variety.
  • Shut off the lights. During termite season, try to keep your outdoor lights off so as not to attract termite swarmers. Try shutting the curtains on windows that emit lots of light at night.

Termite swarmers can show up without warning. If you spot these pests on your property, get in touch with the pros at Pest Czar right away. When you choose our termite control services, we’ll perform a free termite inspection to evaluate your problem. If you’ve got termites, we’ll install the industry-leading Sentricon System® With Always Active™ to eliminate the infestation at the source. Contact us today.