Complete Story
04/18/2024
Flight of the Swarmers: Spring is in the Air, and so are Termite Swarmers
David Moore, BCE, Dodson Bros. Exterminating Co.
It's that time of year again. Things are flying and business is starting to get busy. Now is the time that people start calling about flying insects. "Is this a termite?", is a question I have had about every day for the past week. Termite swarms have not been very prevalent for a while, but it is always good to review termite swarmers, especially this time of year, to make sure your team is focused on what to look for.
Termite swarmers, also known as alates, are winged reproductive termites that leave their colony in large numbers to establish new colonies. These swarmers typically emerge during the springtime when conditions are favorable, such as after a rainstorm or when temperatures rise. Their emergence is often triggered by factors like temperature, humidity, and sometimes even light.
Termite swarmers are often mistaken for flying ants due to their similar appearance. However, there are some key differences between the two. Termite swarmers have straight antennae, a broad waist, and two pairs of wings that are equal in size. In contrast, flying ants have elbowed antennae, a narrow waist, and two pairs of wings that are unequal in size.
Once termite swarmers emerge from their colony, they engage in a mating flight. During this flight, they pair up and mate, after which they shed their wings and begin searching for a suitable location to start a new colony. This process is crucial for the expansion of termite colonies and can be a cause for concern for homeowners, as it may indicate the presence of a nearby termite infestation.
Termite swarmers can typically be found in areas where there is an existing termite colony nearby. They emerge from their colonies in large numbers during specific times of the year, often in the spring when conditions are right for mating and establishing new colonies. Here are some common places where you might find termite swarmers:
- Near light sources: Termite swarmers are attracted to light, so you may find them near windows, doors, or light fixtures, especially during their mating flights.
- Around exterior walls: Termites may emerge from cracks or crevices in the exterior walls of buildings, particularly around areas where wood contacts soil or where there is moisture damage.
- In basements or crawl spaces: Termite swarmers may also be found in basements or crawl spaces, especially if these areas have moisture issues or direct access to the soil.
- Around tree stumps or woodpiles: If there are decaying wood sources nearby, such as tree stumps, woodpiles, or mulch beds, you might find termite swarmers congregating around these areas.
- Near moisture sources: Termites require moisture to survive, so they are often found near sources of water, such as leaky pipes, faucets, or areas with poor drainage.
- In outdoor structures: Termite swarmers may emerge from outdoor structures such as wooden fences, decks, or sheds, especially if these structures are in close proximity to the main termite colony.
Many clients panic when they see any flying insect because they think they are automatically termites. Many times they are ant alates. But if they are termites, you need to work with your client to calm them down and explain that any treatment you perform should eliminate the colony. Explaining to them that the swarmers do not cause any damage and that termite colonies are typically slow at causing damage is also something that we should review with the client. Its not fun to deliver this news to a client, but you do need to be candid about where you find them and what your plan is for elimination. Finally, just because you found swarmers does not mean you are done inspecting. You still need to perform a full inspection to establish if there is an active infestation anyplace and this allows you to note any damage and/or any structural issues that could be contributing to the issue. If you don’t, you might open yourself up to some liability that could have been avoidable.
