Do I Need to Worry About Termites Swarming?
Termites are wood-destroying insects that can destroy your home. They can cause irreparable damage, but are often hard to spot. Their wings are only 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, and they have been called “silent destroyers.”
When they swarm, termites will gather in groups of hundreds. They swarm in order to find a mate. During the mating ritual, the swarmers will travel through the air in a swarming flight. The swarmers are attracted to light and will fly toward it.
Termite swarms usually occur during the summer. When the weather starts to warm, winged swarmers will emerge from their nests. These termites are usually smaller than the drywood termites and have thin wings. The wings of these termites are pale-colored.
If you notice a swarm, be sure to take steps to contain it in one area. You may have to vacuum several times in order to catch all of the swarmers. If you live in an area that is prone to swarming, you should have a professional pest control service come out and check for termites.
Termite swarms can be scary. The swarmers can get stuck in your house, smash into your cars, or even fall prey to common predators. The first step is to identify the swarmers. You can find the swarmers by looking for their discarded wings. You can also check doorways and windows to see if you can catch them.
Termite swarms are a good warning sign, but they are not the only way to identify an infestation. Other signs include mud tubes and dirt protruding from cracks.