The presence of termite swarms is the first sign of an infestation. Swarmers are the winged reproductive termites in a colony, and they are tasked with finding new nest locations once their home colony becomes big enough. You will have swarmers from different species flying around from early spring to late autumn, only taking a break during the winter. If you have termites swarming around your property, it’s important to get in touch with a pest control professional right away. It means that the termites believe your home is suitable for their colony, and catching the colony in its infancy is essential to avoid any damage done.

Swarms can be quite large. For drywood termites, the swarms are not that big, but for subterranean termites, the swarms can be in the hundreds, and for Formosan termites, they can be in the thousands. As such, the first time you experience a swarm it can be a bit overwhelming. However, swarmers cannot sting, bite or eat wood, so you have nothing to fear if you call a specialist right away.

Another interesting swarmer fact is that they cannot fly very far. They want to find a new colony location as soon as possible, and when they do, they land and shed their wings. This means that you will be able to spot an infestation on your property if you notice these wings, either in piles or throughout your house. Their short range also means that they are usually unsuccessful in establishing a nest. If they land indoors for example, and they cannot reach the soil, your home will not be infested.

The swarmers that are successful will pair up, and dig a nuptial chamber underground, where one king and one queen will mate, lay eggs, and raise the first generation of a new colony. Most of the termites in this generation will be workers, but when the colony is large enough, soldiers and swarmers will start to develop as well.

Swarmers are common in some parts of the country, and sometimes they may originate from the colony that is infesting your home. Calling a pest control specialist when you first notice these termites, or having regular checkups, can help prevent infestation and the heavy damage that accompanies it. If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, or if you have noticed swarmers on your property, contact us today.

Tags: Termite Control, Termite Exterminator, Termite Inspection