How Do Termites Lose Wings?
WouterTermites are not insects that fall into the category of flying insects. Rather, they are members of a caste. They produce winged reproductive termites and alates, and they do so in a process that is referred to as swarming.
During swarming, hundreds to thousands of winged termites fly into your home. While most flying termites die within 24 hours, others live for a long time.
Swarming is a natural process that occurs during the termite’s life cycle. Swarming is often triggered by hot, humid temperatures or heavy rainfall. Depending on the type of swarm, swarmers may travel to different locations to create new colonies.
When flying termites reach a safe location, they typically begin to lay eggs. After mating, they lose their wings and land. During this time, they look for wood to eat. They are not dangerous to humans, and are not known to transmit diseases.
If you spot winged termites, call a pest control expert immediately. Termites are highly attracted to light, so it’s best to get rid of any sources of light that attract them. It’s also important to keep away anything that could be a source of food for termites.
During swarming, the colony of termites is split into various social orders, such as the workers, soldiers, and alates. During the mating season, male and female termites are responsible for selecting a location for the nest.
Termites usually fly during the spring and summer months. The most common times for swarming are after a rain storm, and after sunny warm weather.
