Why do flying termites suddenly appear?

Author: Constantin Stracke  |  Last update: Monday, October 13, 2025

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.

Should I be worried if I see flying termites?

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.

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.

Why am I seeing termites all of a sudden?

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.

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.

Termites in your house - Warning signs and damage

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.

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.

What attracts flying termites?

Attraction to Light

Some species of termites swarm late in the afternoon and early evening. 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.

What kills termites the fastest?

If nothing else suits you, go and try the successful heat treatment to control termites at home. Just use hot air or increase the temperature of the infected area up to 120 degrees and maintain it for half an hour. This much heat for this much time will kill the termites instantly.

Should I be worried if I see termites in my yard?

Should I be concerned if I see termites in my yard? Yes, termite presence in your yard is a cause for concern. Termites can cause significant damage to wood structures, including homes and buildings.

How long do flying termites last?

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.

Do bug zappers work on flying termites?

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

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.

Where do flying termites hide in a house?

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

How to find where termites are coming from?

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.

Can I spray for termites myself?

One of the biggest concerns people have when it comes to termite control is whether they can get rid of termites on their own. The answer is almost always a resounding “no”. Treating termites is not a DIY project, as colonies can be hidden anywhere in or near your home and often in areas you can't access.

Do marigolds repel termites?

Marigolds are other plants that repel termites. These hardy annuals have bright orange and yellow blooms. They can repel a variety of different pests, including termites. They are easy to grow and can thrive in a variety of conditions, making them a popular choice for natural pest control.

How to destroy a termite mound?

How to Kill Termites in Mounds. Use a crowbar or a pick to break open the top and sides of a mound. The royal chamber and the surrounding nursery are low down in the centre of the mound. The thousands of exposed termites die quickly from dehydration (and the ants which seem to appear from nowhere.)

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.

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 animals eat flying termites?

Maribou storks, yellow-rumped caciques, Egyptian geese, doves, spotted eagle owls, toto toucans, coucals and chickens will hunt and peck termites while they're on the ground. Other bird species will catch termites in the air as they swarm. This includes sparrows, black phoebes, swallows, swifts, starlings and weavers.

Is it safe to sleep in a house with termites?

Not unless you are unbothered when insects crawl all over your body as you sleep, you can go ahead and sleep on a bed with termites. This is, however, not recommended even though termites are not considered to cause direct harm or be dangerous to humans.

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.

What does a termite nest look like?

During nest construction a termite deposits fecal matter to cement particles in place. Arboreal nests are ovoid structures built of “carton” (a mixture of fecal matter and wood fragments), which resembles cardboard or papier-mâché.

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