When a subterranean termite colony reaches maturity, it will start to reproduce itself. In order to do this, it will send out swarmers or alates, which are winged reproductive termites that will start nests in new locations. This mechanism is similar to that of other termite and ant species. The presence of these swarmers on your property is one of the first signs that you have an infestation.
What do subterranean termite swarmers look like?
Subterranean termite swarmers closely resemble ant swarmers. They have two pairs of wings, six legs, and antennae. They are set apart from ants though by their coloration which is light gold. Their wings are also of equal lengths, while ants have one pair of wings longer than the other. When it comes to the shape of their bodies, the termites have a body that looks like it’s made up of only one segment, while ant swarmers have clearly defined segments.
You will usually start to see these swarmers come out as the weather warms during late spring and early summer. They will usually fly out of the colony during the hottest hour of the day, and they can number in the tens of thousands.
Are swarmers attracted to light?
Subterranean termite swarmers are very attracted to light, like most flying insects. This is why you will find a lot of termite wings near window sills, as they may be drawn to the lighting indoors.
Controlling flying termites
You cannot really do much about termite swarmers. They’ll fly around and go away shortly after. However, their presence is an indicator that there is a termite colony nearby. If the swarmers are inside the home, they either entered in somehow, or they come from a colony that is inside. Whenever you notice this, you should get in touch with a pest control specialist for an inspection.
While there is not much that you can do about the swarmers, you can ensure that you are protected from termite infestations. This is usually done with a chemical barrier, but if there is a termite colony on your property, you can also use a baiting system to eliminate it. If you would like to know more about what you can do to counteract subterranean swarmers and infestations, contact us today and we will answer any questions you may have. We also provide a full range of termite control services.