What attracts winged termites?

Author: Yasmin Lemke  |  Last update: Monday, March 10, 2025

Like most nocturnal insects, the pests will be drawn to light sources around the home, such as porch lamps, motion lights, and light reflected from inside. It is common to see swarms of alates around utility lights, as well.

Why do flying termites suddenly appear?

The sudden emergence of flying termites is typically associated with conducive breeding conditions, primarily dictated by the weather. These conditions include warm temperatures and high humidity, usually after rain.

How do you keep flying termites away?

How do you stop flying termites in your house?
  1. Storing firewood away from your house.
  2. Keeping mulch away from your foundation and ensuring at least four inches of foundation are visible above the soil.
  3. Maintaining drainage systems and making sure to direct rainwater away from your home.

What attracts termites with wings to humans?

Seeing termites with wings in your house is a strong indication of a nearby termite colony. These swarmers are usually attracted to light and can often be found near windows, doors, or light fixtures.

Do termite wings mean infestation?

If you find multiple alates inside your home, notice their shed wings around doors and windows, or see them emerging from the exterior of your house, it's likely you have an active termite infestation in your home.

What Attracts Termites to Your Home?

How do you find the source of flying termites?

How Did I Get Flying Termites? Also known as alates or reproductive stage termites, flying male and female alates emerge from existing colonies to mate and form new nests elsewhere. A flying termite swarm near the home nest could indicate a large colony in the yard or some other nearby location.

How long do termites live after they lose their wings?

Flying termites don't live for long after they have taken flight, typically remaining aloft for about an hour. After that, their wings fall off, they plummet to the ground, and then perish due to termite-eating critters. However, don't let the fact that flying termites don't last more than a day put you at ease.

Where do flying termites hide in house?

A flying termite nest, often referred to as a colony, is usually hidden in walls, foundations, or wooden structures.

How do I permanently control termites?

Thus, neem oil for termites can be the best natural termite killer and help you get rid of termites permanently from your wooden structures. If you are wondering how to do neem oil treatment for termites, simply inject it inside the wooden structures.

What smell attracts termites?

Termites are most often attracted to the scent of wood because they primarily feed on wood. The scent of wood will usually lead them right to your doorstep.

What smell do flying termites hate?

Here is how to get rid of flying termites in-house naturally: Orange Oil: Termites hate this stuff. Mix some with water in a spray bottle and apply it to affected areas. The strong citrus scent repels termites, and the oil can even kill them on contact.

Do bug zappers work on flying termites?

A bug zapper attracts and electrocutes flying termites, offering a quick and effective extermination method.

Will termites go away on their own?

If you're willing to put up with these insects crawling in your curtains and staining them with their excrement, this pest problem will go away on its own. Termites will not go away on their own. We bet you know why. While many pests need to find a food source inside your home in order to stay, termites do not.

How to find a termite nest?

Look for pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on your home's foundation and crawl-space walls. These tubes shelter subterranean termites as they travel between their nest and food source. If you break open these tubes and see cream-colored insects, it's a clear sign of an active infestation.

What time of day do flying termites come out?

At certain times of the year, termite colonies produce “swarmers”, the winged, reproductive adults (Figure 1) that fly away to mate and form their own colonies. Swarming usually occurs during the daytime, frequently in spring (although colonies are active all year-round) and often after a nice rainstorm.

What is the best repellent for termites?

One popular method on how to get rid of termites involves treating the soil around your house with a termite insecticide, such as imidacloprid or fipronil. Wood can also be treated directly if termites are inside.

Can you get rid of termites without an exterminator?

While you cannot get rid of termites permanently from the environment, you can help prevent them from taking root in your home and control any active colonies nearby. Although it may be tempting to try termite control yourself, prevention and treatment is best left to the professionals.

How do I stop swarming termites in my house?

Eight Tips For Fending Off Termite Swarmers
  1. Eliminate any leaking or standing water from around your home. ...
  2. Store firewood at least 20 feet from your home and elevated off the ground.
  3. Routinely inspect the foundation of your home. ...
  4. Make sure you have adequate weatherstripping on all doors and windows.

Does home insurance cover termites?

If you suspect or see evidence of termites, your best bet is to contact an exterminator immediately. Since routine maintenance is the homeowner's responsibility and termites aren't a covered peril, your homeowners insurance won't cover termite treatment.

Do flying termites live in drains?

It is often possible to see winged termites inside the drains. Swarmers can choose to come through drains because of possible clogs that provide them with the perfect opportunity to build their mud shelters.

Do flying termites bite people?

Flying termites, or alates, do not bite humans. Their primary role in the termite colony is reproduction, not defense or feeding. Unlike worker termites or soldier termites, flying termites do not have strong mandibles designed for biting.

Should I worry about winged termites?

If you see flying termites around or inside your home, it really should act as a warning sign for 2 potential threats: You may already have an existing termite problem, or. Your home may be at risk of potential termite infestation.

How long can you live in a house with termites?

Unlike cockroaches, termites are notorious for their ability to cause extensive structural damage to homes, often undetected for long periods. The rate at which they inflict destruction can vary, typically within 3 to 15 years, depending on factors such as termite colony size and the age of the structure.

How to find termite queen?

Termite queens are found deep within the colony, usually protected by thick walls or deep underground. Since they can't move, getting a termite queen out of her breeding chambers is unlikely which means that a termite colony has to be destroyed to reach the queen termite.

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