As the weather warms up and spring rolls around, humidity levels start to rise. This creates the perfect conditions for termite swarms, which are composed of flying reproductive termites that are looking to start new nests. These termites are known as swarmers, and they can be an indication that you have an infestation in your home or somewhere on your property.
Where flying termites come from
As a termite colony reaches maturity the queen will start laying eggs that will spawn into reproductive termites. These termites have wings, and they are males and females. Known as swarmers, the flying termites set out of their original colony to mate and start new nests. They usually fly out in the thousands, and you may see them flying around during the spring.
After mating, the male will die and the female will shed its wings. Then, it will go on to either dig underground, or inside wood, depending on the species, and lay the first batch of eggs. At this point, the solo queen will take care of everything, from building the colony, to gathering food and raising the young. However, once the first workers mature, the queen will switch on to the role it will have for the rest of its life – laying eggs.
When flying termites are a problem
Most swarmers will die without starting a new colony, because they will be eaten by other insects or animals. However, the few that do make it will take a long time before their colonies reach maturity. So the only time that swarmers are a cause of immediate concern is when they spawn inside the home. In this situation, you have a mature colony indoors, and you should contact a pest control pro right away.
You may also come across piles of wings in your home, and this is another warning sign. Unless you left a door or window open for an extended period of time, these piles indicate that there was a swarm that was spawned inside the home, and usually, finding these wings in the home is a sign that you have an infestation. Just like finding mud tubes, this is a cause for alarm. If you come across piles of wings or termite swarms inside your home, contact us today, and we will set an appointment for a termite inspection right away.
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