Like ants, termites are very social creatures that thrive in a colony. ... 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.

Do subterranean termites have wings?

subterranean termites' wings different? Winged termites are called alates. Subterranean alates have one single thick, dark vein that runs parallel to the top of the wing. Drywood termites have a complex system of veins, usually at least three or four in each wing.

What do you do if you see termites flying?

So next time you see flying termites there is no need to panic because they will not cause any damage to your home. This only indicates that a termite colony is nearby. When this happens in or around your home, be sure to call Terminix for a free termite inspection.

Are flying termites the same as subterranean termites?

Flying termites are adult reproductive termites, called swarmers. Every so often, when conditions are right, subterranean termite swarmers develop within the colony and leave their underground nests to mate and start new colonies.

What are signs of subterranean termites?

5 Signs That Your Home Is Infested With Subterranean Termites

• Presence of Swarms or Their Discarded Wings. This sign is the easiest to spot. ...
• Strange Wall Sounds. ...
• Hollow or Papery Wood. ...
• Mud Tubes and Galleries. ...
• Hard-to-Open Windows and Doors. ...
• How to Prevent Subterranean Termites Infestation.

How subterranean termites get into your house and how to stop them | 10News WTSP

16 related questions found

Are subterranean termites hard to get rid of?

Subterranean termites are the most destructive insect pests in the USA, causing more damage than fires and windstorms combined. They can be tricky to notice, but if you have them in your house then you need to act quickly to get rid of them.

How deep do subterranean termites live?

Experts believe that subterranean termites remain 18 to 20 feet below the ground during the winter, but in neighborhoods where central heating keeps the soil surrounding houses warm, subterranean termites will remain closer to the ground surface where they can still be problematic.

Do Swarmers mean I have termites?

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.

Are subterranean termites worse than drywood termites?

Subterranean termites are much more dangerous because they cause more significant damage than drywood termites. Their colonies can develop up to 1 million strong. Subterranean termites have a soft white body with no eyes. They are typically no longer than a centimeter.

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.

Do subterranean termites swarm?

When Do Termites Swarm? The timing of flight varies by subgroup — subterranean termites often swarm in the spring and during daylight, drywood termites wait until the late summer or early fall and dampwood termites swarm in the summer. ... They can sometimes miscalculate their launching point and swarm indoors.

Why do flying termites suddenly appear?

Usually in the spring, summer and periods of humidity. You may have witnessed swarms of winged termites, especially when the ambient air temperatures start to rise. This change in temperature triggers the winged termites to emerge from their nest (within some form of timber) to embark on a nuptial flight.

What time of day are termites most active?

Subterranean termites swarm during the day, particularly after rainfall. They're most active in the spring. Invasive Formosan termites swarm at night and are generally at their peak in the late spring and summer. Drywood termites are also active at night, especially around lights.

What can be mistaken for termites?

The insects most commonly confused for termites are flying ants. The most common species of ants to take flight around your house are carpenter ants, but they're by no means the only ones. Other would-be imposters include moisture ants, black garden ants and pavement ants.

How bad are subterranean termites?

How serious are subterranean termites? As the most common type of termite nationwide, subterranean termites cause billions of dollars in structural damage each year. They also eat books, other paper products, cellulose-based products, and a variety of other plant-based goods.

What color are termite swarmers?

Termite swarmers can be black. Swarmers of the most common species, subterranean termites, have black bodies and clear, veined wings. Drywood swarmers are generally not dark black in color.

Does homeowner insurance cover termite damage?

Homeowners insurance is designed to cover risks and damage that are accidental and sudden. ... The cost to remove termites and repair their damage is generally not covered by your homeowners insurance.

Do all termites live in the ground?

Termites thrive in moderate to tropical climates. Ground termites live and forage in ground soil under normal circumstances, but may also build a nest above the soil if adequate moisture is available. Ground Termite colony size is LARGE, potentially containing from several thousand to over 7 million termites.

How long does it take for termites to infest?

It can take anywhere from 3 to 8 years for termite damage to show up depending on the size of the colony.

How long do termites live after they swarm?

A termite swarm will last about 30-40 minutes and the swarming termites will fly toward a light source, typically collecting around windows and sliding glass doors. If these termites cannot find soil, they will die in a few hours from dehydration.

How do you find a termite nest?

What to Look For. Pencil-thick to inch-wide tunnels on foundation and crawl-space walls (above) shelter subterranean termites traveling to and from the nest. If you see cream-colored insects when you break open the tubes, your house is infested. If you don't, the colony may be dead or using another route inside.

Why flying termites mean serious trouble?

Why does flying termites mean serious trouble? Flying termites are a warning sign of potential damage to property. Termites cause structural damage to properties and thereby making the wooden structure bend and blister. Termite colonies usually mature in about three to six years and produce alates.

How do subterranean termites get into a homes?

Subterranean termite colonies live underground. ... One of the most common ways termites get in your home is through wood-to-ground contact, including doorframes, deck posts, and porch steps or supports. Subterranean termites also enter homes through cracks in the foundation and cracks in brick mortar.

How do you know if termites are in your walls?

Common signs of termite damage to a wall include:

1. Small pin holes, where termites have eaten through the paper coating on drywall and/or wallpaper. ...
2. Faint 'lines' on drywall. ...
3. A hollow sound when you tap on the wall.
4. Bubbling or peeling paint.
5. Baseboards that crumble under slight pressure.
6. Jammed doors or windows.

Do subterranean termites eat drywall?

When it comes to sources of cellulose, termites don't discriminate – they'll eat virtually anything that contains it. Surprisingly, that includes drywall. Drywall is composed of plaster panels covered in paper, which contains cellulose. It's this paper that makes the drywall in your home a target for termites.