How Long Do Termites Keep Their Wings?
WouterTermites are destructive invaders that can cause thousands of dollars in damage. They enter homes through cracks in the foundation and wood-to-soil contact. During the spring, they begin to swarm and reproduce. Their swarms are highly active and can land up to 50,000 termites at a time.
Termites do not generally survive winter. They are attracted to light sources, and swarm during warm, humid periods in the late winter and early spring. During a swarm, winged termites emerge from the nest to search for mates. They then attempt to form a new colony.
Termites have two castes – Alates and Workers. The Alates are the only termite caste that can fly. They have two pairs of wings that are the same size and shape. When they land, they break off their wings and begin the process of forming a new colony.
The Workers are responsible for building tunnels and feeding the other termite castes. They also serve as the primary reproductives. They can be found in colonies of 75 or more individuals. These colonies are formed when a new food source is discovered.
A colony may take three to four years to reach its full capacity. After that, the alates will begin to search for a mate. Only 10 percent of swarms will find a mate and can form a colony.
Termites swarm during warm, rainy, and humid periods. They are most commonly found in the spring. Swarms last from 30 to 40 minutes. If a swarm is detected in your home, turn off all lights and open all windows.
