If you have ever entered your house and found a couple of wings on your window sill, then chances are that termite swarmers have recently been flying around your home. While these swarmers might not cause any direct damage to your home, it is a clear indication that you might be having a more serious termite issue that needs to be addressed in the near future.
Getting all the necessary information will ensure that you can make the right call when you see these swarmers appear in your house. Keep reading as we’ve covered here everything you need to know about termite swarmers.
What Do Termite Swarmers Do?
Also known as alates, swarmers are adult reproductive termites with wings. They can fly out of the nests seasonally to find mates and start new colonies by reproducing. Because their existing colony gets too big, the adults have to fly away and look for a new place to establish a colony.
While they don’t sting, bite, eat wood or cause any damage to your house, it can get scary, especially if you have never seen swarmers before or you have young children around.
These insects come in a huge swarm and fly all around the place, looking for where the light is. During the day, chances are they will head towards the window and try to get out of the house.
Swarmers come out through tunnels dug up by the worker termites when the colony was created. They can either come out through the house or from outside. Since they do not bite or destroy much, you need not worry about a termite attack. They are simply vacating the colony, but that is also an indicator that there might be a termite issue where you are.
Do Termites Die After They Swarm?
Adult termites have a very short life span. When they leave their colony, they need to get good soil to settle on, food, and moisture. If they do not get any of these, or if they are not able to escape from the house, they will die within 30 to 40 minutes. That is why it is so easy for you to find swarmers in one place a few minutes after they got out of their colony.
They get drawn to a light source like a window or glass door, and when unable to fly out, they’ll die in open areas. Thus, most of the time, just dead insects or their shed wings, can be found.
As previously mentioned, these flying termites do not cause you any immediate damage, but they will be an indication of a bigger termite colony nearby.
How Long Do Termite Swarms Last?
Swarmers can come out of their colonies for a couple of hours and keep doing this daily, especially if the colony is full. However, the majority of the colony usually dies within a day or two of the swarm.
These insects will fly a short distance. After that, they fall to the ground and shed their wings. The good thing is, if they do not get soil, food, and water, they will die off in about 40 minutes.
While you might get an exterminator in, some of these swarmers might still escape through the intricate colony tunnels they have built. It might take a couple of days to get rid of them completely.
When Do Termites Swarm?
Often termites will swarm during the day because they are looking for light. If they have made a home in your house, then chances are they might swarm at night and head in the direction of the light source indoors. Swarmers in the house show that you might have a termite infestation somewhere on your property.
How To Deal With Swarmers?
While swarmers might not cause any immediate damage to your house, they can leave behind a huge mess that you’ll have to clean up. The best way to deal with these pests is to contain them at first.
Here are some things you can do when you realize there are swarmers in your house:
- Contain them: If you notice they are in one room, close the doors and windows to that room, it will ensure they do not swarm in the entire house, which can be messy and frightening.
- Try and keep them in one place: If you notice where they are coming from, you can put a plastic bag over that exit hole. That way, all the insects will get in, and it is easier for you to dispose of them than cleaning the entire room.
- Vacuum the room: If it so happens that they got out before you got the bag, you can always vacuum the critters and their wings as well. It is best to do this after you are sure there are no more swarmers around. That way, you do not keep vacuuming all day or night.
- Get an inspector to come and look around: Swarmers indicate a termite colony that has grown so big and could dig its way through your home. Ensure you get a residential termite control professional to come and look at your house if you have had swarmers in the home. They will help get rid of them and ensure no more damage is done to your property by these pests.
For a free termite inspection and termite treatment services, seek the help of our experts at American Pest Control in Athens, GA. The technicians are highly qualified and experienced in treating a termite infestation, no matter how bad it is.
So if you have swarmers in your house, don’t worry. Since they will do no harm by being around, simply let them fly out before you clean the place up. Save up a couple of their wings as well as the insects so that you can show your inspector. He will be able to develop a way to contain the swarmers in the house.
Our certified pest experts will work with you to find the best solution for your needs. Simply fill out this form for a free, no-obligation estimate.
Contact Us Today!
