Termites – What Does Flying Termites Eat?
WouterTermites are known to cause up to five billion dollars of damage to American homes each year. The damage may include cracks in the wood of the house, as well as rotting, weakened wood.
Termites feed on wood and paper. They are also known as silent destroyers. Their infestation can last years before any visible signs are seen. It is best to prevent a termite problem before the damage can become worse.
There are two types of termites: subterranean and flying. Subterranean termites live underground, while flying termites are swarmers, which fly out of existing colonies. If you see termite wings, it is a sure sign that a colony is nearby. Swarmers are able to land up to 50,000 termites at once.
Typically, swarms of flying termites are noticed around doors and windows. These critters are looking for a nesting spot. When they find it, they burrow in the soil to construct a new colony. They can also be spotted near access points.
Swarmers are not the only flying termites. Some subterranean termites lose their wings to become soldier termites. These soldiers are large in head and have intimidating jaws. They do not bite humans, but they will travel up to a wooden structure to look for food.
The female alates in a colony release a pheromone to attract a mate. When the colony is mature, male and female alates are released to seek mates. They are the primary reproducers of a new colony.
