How Do Termites Get Attracted to Light?

Termites are able to eat anything made of plants. They will feed continuously for 365 days. They can destroy man-made structures. Their swarming is usually in the spring, after rain. They are easily confused with flying ants. However, their behavior is very different.

Unlike flying ants, they don’t sting. They also do not attack humans. Their wings are large and translucent. They are typically light gold in color. They have two tiny antennae, one on each side of their body. They are born with wings and shed them once they settle.

Termites have been observed to have a high preference for light. In fact, they will often swarm around street lamps and porch lights. This is because they consider light to be the source of the outdoors.

They will also swarm near windows. The light from these windows provides entry points for them. It is a good idea to turn off any outdoor lighting at dusk. This is to avoid being drawn into the house by termites.

They will also be attracted to wood that is touching the ground. If the wood is heavily infested, it will be brittle and muddy. These types of wood can be removed by using a pest control service.

Another way termites are attracted to light is by mimicking pheromones. The female insects will secrete luminescent pheromones. This pheromone may attract males. They may mistakenly fly into candle flames as a signal from the female.

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