It takes several years for a termite colony to grow large enough to be able to produce swarmers. If large numbers of swarmers are emerging inside a building, this means that there is a large colony of termites feeding on that building.
To start, you can try to contain them by closing the door to the room they're swarming in. Another option is to vacuum up live swarmers. If you keep the bag with the dead insects inside, you can show it to your local pest control company for proper identification and a thorough termite inspection.
Seeing flying termites in your house could mean that a mature termite colony is present in or near your home. These termites are in their reproductive stage and are looking to establish new colonies, which could lead to significant structural damage if left unchecked.
Spotting a problem early on will make it easier to get the proper termite extermination your home needs. When you're able to recognize some of the early signs of these invasive insects, you can end up saving your home and your wallet from serious damage.
Don't panic if you do find live Termites
Termites are quite common and believe it or not, are found in almost every yard. Termites are much like regular ants, just subterranean, meaning they're active deep beneath the surface.
Termite damage and removal typically aren't covered by your home, condo, or renters insurance policy. Insurance companies consider termite infestations to be preventable, so the cost of termite damage and removal will come out of your pocket.
Bug Zappers
Termites are attracted to light, so place a bug zapper in or near the outside of your home to attract and kill flying termites. This is effective when flying termites manage to get inside your home.
They emerge into the home through tiny holes called “exit holes”. Exit holes are usually found higher up on a wall and are created by worker termites to allow the swarmers to leave the colony. A termite swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source.
Termites may suddenly appear in homes due to various reasons, such as moisture problems, wood-to-ground contact, neighboring termite colonies, or termite swarming events. Understanding these causes can help prevent infestations.
By the time you notice them, it might be too late. If you can not identify the signs of a termite infestation like termite droppings, the infestation can quickly spiral out of control leaving you with thousands of dollars in damage or even losing your house altogether.
Do vacuum up the termite swarmers that you see. Simply dispose of the bag or remove the contents of your canister vacuum when you're finished.
A flying termite nest, often referred to as a colony, is usually hidden in walls, foundations, or wooden structures. You might not see the nest itself but may notice flying termites, also known as alates, emerging from cracks or holes in wood.
If you think you have termites, it is usually advisable to hire a professional pest control company to carry out the inspection and control program.
Termites swarming inside your home tend to gather around light fixtures and windowsills because they are looking for a way out of the house to form another colony. Their instinct is to fly toward lighted areas.
If you do not have a termite contract, contact several pest control companies as soon as possible. The presence of swarmers may not always mean an active infestation on your property, but let a professional determine this.
Why is termite infestation more common during the night? Here are 5 top reasons why termites are most active during the night: Avoiding Predators: By coming out at night, termites try to avoid their predators like birds, ants, and other insects, who might feed on them during the day.
Termites are social insects that form large colonies. During swarming events, male and female alates are produced from mature colonies. A male and a female pair from such swarms, drop their wings (dealates) and found a new colony, to become king and queen.
If you want to avoid termites at home, you can use essential oils, such as cinnamon oil, clove bud oil, or the famous tea tree oil. To use them properly, all you have to do is to fill them in a mist sprayer and spray on the damaged areas to repel termites.
A bug zapper attracts and electrocutes flying termites, offering a quick and effective extermination method.
Fipronil – Found in Termidor SC, fipronil is a broad-use insecticide that belongs to the phenylpyrazole chemical family. It's known for its delayed action, making it highly effective against social insects like termites.
You don't want to discover your new home needs expensive repairs after you have closed the sale! The cost of repairing any termite damage is usually paid by the seller.
Termite damage sometimes appears similar to water damage. Outward signs of termite damage include buckling wood, swollen floors and ceilings, areas that appear to be suffering from slight water damage and visible mazes within walls or furniture. Termite infestations also can exude a scent similar to mildew or mold.
Although termite damage may be reversed through professional repair, homeowners should first call a local termite specialist. Repairs should not be made until a licensed pest professional has confirmed that there are no longer termites present and the risk of further infestation has been eliminated.