How do I know if I have a termite swarm?
Another way to identify if you have a termite swarm is to look around the entry site, usually a door or window sill, for discarded wings. Swarming termites have temporary wings that fall off soon after landing.
What do termites look like in Florida?
What termites look like: They have two large wings, which are pale-colored and about 1/4 to 1/2 inches long, making them easily recognizable. A swarmer that has found a mate and left the colony sheds its wings. Termite swarms are most common in Florida in the spring, when the insects emerge to find mates and form new colonies.
How can you tell the difference between ants and termites?
Body : Ants have a pinched waist, while termite waists are more straight. Another way to identify if you have a termite swarm is to look around the entry site, usually a door or window sill, for discarded wings. Swarming termites have temporary wings that fall off soon after landing.
Where do termites come from when they swarm?
When swarming termites, or alates, venture out of a nest inside a home, they will try to squeeze through cracks and crevices in the walls and foundation to reach open air for the first time. Since swarming termites are attracted to light, they often can be found near windows or light fixtures.
Do swarming termites mean infestation?
Do Swarming Termites Mean An Infestation? If a swarm happens inside your home, most of them will not survive to establish a new colony but it does mean that your home is likely infested.
How can you tell if a termite is swarming?
How to Identify Swarming TermitesSize: Termite swarmers are about 3/8 inch long, including wings. ... Color: Termite swarmers are mostly black; some species are dark brown. ... Waist: The body of a termite swarmer remains about the same thickness or width from just behind its head to the tip of its abdomen.More items...•
Do termite swarmers mean you have termites?
While the presence of termite swarmers doesn't necessarily mean that you have an active termite infestation in your home, it could be the first warning sign. If you see a termite swarm, it's important that you call a licensed termite exterminator immediately.
What time of year do termites usually swarm?
Most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer months, typically on a warm day with calm winds after a rainfall. Drywood termites and one particular species of subterranean termite (R. hageni) typically swarm during the late summer or fall months, from August through November.
How many days do termite swarms last?
So basically, we're talking about a swarming season that lasts anywhere from 5-6 months. More specifically, termites swarm almost always during the day, and tend to be more active after rainfall on especially warm days.
How do I get rid of swarming termites in my house?
0:061:37Pest Control : How to Kill Flying Termites - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAll you need to do is I get a vacuum cleaner. Or something and you can vacuum them up with theMoreAll you need to do is I get a vacuum cleaner. Or something and you can vacuum them up with the vacuum cleaner or if they're outside the home using any type of a liquid spray sprayed.
Will termites go away on their own?
Yes, they can go away on their own. Why is it a scary answer? Because you never know when they are going to come back! Without a termite treatment, there is no way of knowing when a healthy termite colony will return to re-infest a structure.
Why do flying termites suddenly appear?
Wood-Damaging Pests. At certain times of the year, termite colonies produce “swarmers” - the winged adults (Figure 1) that fly away to form their own colonies. Swarming usually occurs during the daytime and is simply nature's way of reminding you that termites are nearby.
What to do after swarming termites?
DO:Try to contain them. This can be done by shutting the door to the room where they are swarming. ... Vacuum them up and throw the full bag into the garbage. The swarmers in the bag will die and they cannot spread.Save a bag full of insects to show a trained inspector.Call a reputable termite company.
Do flying termites mean infestation?
If you happen to find a handful of swarmers or even just a few discarded wings present inside your home, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a termite infestation. You most likely have several termite colonies living in your yard and when conditions are right more than one colony may swarm at the same time.
How do you keep termites away?
Eliminate moisture problems around your home that make the soil around it attractive.Repair leaking faucets, water pipes and air conditioning units.Maintain good drainage around the foundation – make sure there is no standing water.Clean gutters and down-spouts.Avoid excess mulch or ground cover near the foundation.More items...•
How many termites are in a swarm?
Just sweep or vacuum them up. However, a significant swarm of 50 to 100 winged termites at the interior of your home is a sign that a colony exists somewhere in your home and has been present for 3 to 6 years. These swarming termites will congregate at a windowsill or glass door as they are attracted to the light.
Why do flying termites suddenly appear?
Wood-Damaging Pests. At certain times of the year, termite colonies produce “swarmers” - the winged adults (Figure 1) that fly away to form their own colonies. Swarming usually occurs during the daytime and is simply nature's way of reminding you that termites are nearby.
Will termites swarm after treatment?
Post-treatment termite swarms are not uncommon and may occur up to around four weeks after an effective treatment. The goal of termiticide use is to create mortality among the workers and the other caste members of the termite colony, weaken the colony, and eventually eliminate it.
Can you hear termites swarm?
Common Sounds of Infestations Worker termites also make clicking and rustling sounds with their mouths as they tunnel through wood. Homeowners may also hear swarms of flying termites buzzing during the spring mating season.
What time of day do drywood termites swarm?
Formosan termites swarm at night in the late spring and summer. Drywood termites swarm at night in the late summer and early fall.
What color are termites?
If you're a homeowner, you may see insects in your home and start to wonder what they are. Are they termites? You may wonder "what color are termit...
What bugs can be mistaken for termites?
Some species of ants, like carpenter ants, can be mistaken for termites. Both reproductive termites and ants have wings and swarm. As mentioned, te...
Where do termites live?
Most common termites in the United States are the native subterranean termites. Other types found in the United States are drywood termites and For...
What are some signs of termites?
Soft or hollow-sounding wood, mud tubes with white, squishy insects inside them or swarms of flying termites, and building damage.
Termite Signs & Identification
One of the termite’s earliest signs that an infestation is in or near your home is seeing or finding evidence of a swarm. Termite swarms happen when winged reproductive members leave or “swarm” from the colony in order to find a mate and create a new colony.
Our Termite Treatment Process
At Innovative Pest Control we can eliminate any size termite infestation from any size East Texas home through the use of the eco-friendly, non-invasive, and super effective Sentricon® System with Always Active™.
What color is a termite's head?
Their head is either red orange, or yellow, or black. You will also notice some white spots on the head of the worker termite. Also referred to as termite swarms, breeders or alates, this class of termites have a range of colors, either from dark brown to black or from pale yellow to light brown.
What do Termites look like to the Human Eye?
Termites have a soft body, and they are grey, brown, or white. There are different types of termites and you will need to know how each of these termites looks like.
What does a termite Nest &Hole look like?
Termite colonies live in nests. The different species of termites structure their nests differently.
How big are subterranean termites?
The tunnels that connect the galleries are made of mud. Subterranean termite nests can have a diameter whose size ranges from 330 to 690 feet. The species of subterranean termites referred to as Formosan termites build the largest nests.
What do termites use to seal their nests?
Termites that live in nest leave them using the exit holes. termite holes. When the swarming termites leave the nest, the nymph termites seal the holes. Cement like material that is brown in color is what the termites use to seal the holes. This material is made from feces.
How to tell if a baby termite is ants or ants?
Since the baby termites are very similar to ants, you can differentiate the two by looking at their antennae. The antennae of the baby termites will always be pointed out rather than curved. Other features that will aid you identify baby termites is by looking at their waist and their wings.
How to tell if a termite is a baby?
The young termites have bodies which are white in color. On their heads, there are two antennae which stick out. Those are the most outstanding features that will help you identify a baby termite.
How long do termites swarm?
Call a professional when you see a termite swarm. Even though they usually last only a few days, it is important for an inspector to see what is going on. He/she can search the home for more termites and possible other wood-destroying organisms.
Why do termites swarm after rain?
This is because wet soil helps these swarmers build their nests , and they thrive in a more humid climate.
How many swarmers are there in a termite colony?
This behavior is repeated throughout other termite colonies in the area. There can be hundreds if not thousands of swarmers for each colony!
Why do alates fly away?
Alates main purpose in life is to reproduce in order to grow the original colony. These busy termites reside in the soil near the surface of their nest until the perfect conditions are just right to fly away and look for a new home. When conditions are right, the swarmers fly away to pair off with a mate.
How many species of termites are there in Florida?
So it’s good to know when to look out for termites. Across Florida, there are over twenty species, but the most popular types of termites that swarm are:
How long does it take for a swarm of swarms to spread out?
Each swarm is typically spread out over a few days, with the largest release on the first day, and smaller ones on the days following.
When is termite awareness week?
Actually, the week of March 7th to the 13th is Termite Awareness Week.
What is a swarm of termites?
Swarming is a stage in a termite’s life cycle. Flying termites in most cases have no much interest in destroying your property. They are usually in search of new places where they can start their new colonies.
How old do termites swarm?
However, subterranean termites have a minimum age at which they can swarm, that is, three years.
How does termite spray work?
This spray kills termites by suffocating them. You can prepare the spray all by yourself at home.
How to get rid of flying termites?
Procedure. Into your spray bottle, add the orange oil. Follow flying termites to their home colonies and spray them or just spray them when they are on flight. You should also spray the furniture and walls where you see evident activity of flying termites. Pour the oil in holes where termites are likely to rest.
What to do if termites are around your house?
If there are any tree stumps or unnecessary wood around your home, remove it as well. Remember termites will stick around your home as long as they can get food and therefore you can end their visits by discarding their food.
How many wings do termites have?
Termites have two pairs of wings which are of equal size. This is used as the distinguishing feature between flying termites and ants.
What is the best oil for termites?
Orange oil. This oil has been tested by professionals and found to be an effective termite killer. D-limonene is the active ingredient in orange oil which explains its excellence in killing termites. Orange oil kills termites by dissolving the exoskeleton and as such depriving them of their body water and proteins.
Why do termites swarm?
The purpose of swarming is for termites to reproduce and create new colonies near food sources. Like ants, termites are very social creatures that thrive in a colony. Young termites develop wings in the springtime in order to disperse from their parent colonies in swarms. These “swarmers,” or “alates” fly through mud tubes in the case of subterranean termites, or through the air in cases of drywood termites. Though they don’t fly for long, the swarms are usually carried along on a breeze until they reach the ground. Once they touch back down, the insects can establish new colonies. Colonies usually swarm only once per year, though in some cases, multiple swarms may occur. When multiple swarms occur in a season, they are generally smaller swarms than the first occurrence.
How do you know if a drywood termite is infesting the ground?
Drywood termites are identified by the fact that they nest in the very wood that they are infesting, instead of in the ground. These insects can arrive from the air and infest structures without leaving any evidence like mud tubes behind, and without requiring ground contact with a surface. In general, drywood termites swarm in the evening, and require far less moisture than their subterranean counterparts.
How to check for drywood termites?
To check for this termite species, inspect your roof or attic for signs of termites burrowing into the wood, like small holes in wooden surfaces. Any wood surfaces that are directly exposed to the outdoors are particularly at risk of infestation and eventual damage.
How to tell if a termite is a flying ant?
Here’s how to tell the difference between termite swarmers and flying ants: 1 Antennae : Termites have straight antennae while the antennae of ants are bent. 2 Wing structure: Termite wings will be of identical length, while ant wing length varies. 3 Body : Ants have a pinched waist, while termite waists are more straight.
Why do termites have mud tubes?
Unlike their drywood termite counterparts, subterranean termites create mud tubes to protect them from dehydration and predators when they travel. These mud tubes are usually visible on the sides of buildings, trees and other wooden structures that the termites are infesting.
How do termite bait stations work?
Baiting stations: Termite baiting stations work by attracting termites to a bait source several feet from your exterior wall. If you check the bait and it has been destroyed, you know there is likely a termite colony nearby.
How to stop termites from destroying my house?
That’s right, it’s time to go termite hunting. Take a flashlight and a probing device, like a screwdriver, and start inspecting your surfaces. Tap on wood and listen for hollow sounds, look for holes in wooden surfaces and look for mud tubes or adult insects to determine where they are hiding out in your house. Once you have determined where the termites are living, it is much easier to determine their entry point, and determine what kind of termites you are dealing with.
