At certain times of the year, typically during the warmer months, termite colonies produce swarmers, which are the winged adult termites that fly off to start their own colonies.
Termite swarmers can be a real nuisance, especially when swarming occurs indoors. The swarms are usually active during the day, therefore, it is simply nature’s reminder that there are termites nearby.
Termites in Athens are known to be one of the most destructive pests that infest a property. They feed on wooden elements in the house, causing significant damage to the structure. However, it is important to remember that the flying termites are not those colony members that consume the cellulose contained in the wood and wreak havoc on your home.
In fact, the culprit causing damage to your house is the worker termite. The swarmers only depend on the workers for food and eat the digested wood that they provide to them. However, there is a danger that one day the offspring of the swarmers will become the worker termites within the newly established colony. Over time, it will continue to cause destruction in the structure of your home, if left untreated.
Why Are Termites Swarming Outside And Inside?
The swarming termites outside or inside are most likely to come from an underground nest somewhere on the premises. If you see most of them outdoors, then the nest is probably in your yard, in a location such as under an old tree stump or wooden landscape elements. But if most of the insects are found indoors, then there is quite likely an infestation in or underneath the building.
An established termite colony produces swarmers that will leave the nest after the original colony becomes overcrowded or due to a lack of suitable food. Male and female flying termites are known as alates and they leave their existing colonies to reproduce and form a new colony elsewhere. They are ready to reproduce and expand, so swarmers on your property are a sign that the termites are currently reproducing.
The vast majority of the termite swarmers that Athens residential termite control professionals find inside homes originate from outside of the house.
In addition, warm and humid weather with a lot of rain may attract termites. Also, the heat in your home can also attract flying termites if it’s too cold outside for them, which makes it a great place for them to reproduce and create a new colony.
So if you see a swarm of termites with wings indoors or in your yard, it can be an indication that there is a large colony nearby that wants to expand.
It is quite common to see either a termite swarm inside of a house structure or just a few alates that accidentally ended up inside. If the termites are swarming inside your house or you have noticed their discarded wings around doors and windows, it’s a clear sign that your home may have been already infested.
Swarmers inside a house usually gather around windowsills, glass doors, and light fixtures as their instinct is to fly toward the light. The insects are looking for a way out in order to create another colony. Nevertheless, most of the swarmers found inside your home will not survive to start a new colony outside, but it does mean that there is probably an infestation.
Should You Worry If You See Swarming Termites?
Typically, flying termites are most visible during their swarming season, but these pests do their damage all year round. Once the swarmers have made their way inside and you notice remnants of swarmers indoors, you should be concerned about the likelihood of an active infestation inside your home.
Also, seeing a swarm of flying termites outside your house should alert you that a current colony is thriving and an infestation is nearby. There is likely to be a significant termite activity close to the house, for example, in neighboring trees or some wooden structures.
However, spotting swarmers only outside does not necessarily indicate that there is a major active termite infestation inside your home, in most cases it means that these pests are present nearby. But it could be the first warning sign.
For this reason, it’s important to inspect your entire property for other tell-tale signs of an infestation if you see a swarm inside or close to your home. You need to be proactive to prevent termite damage. If you do not take care of this in time, you can quickly have a serious problem with these pests invading your home.
So, if you believe you may have termite activity, make sure to call our team of Athens, GA pest control specialists at American Pest Control and request a free inspection as soon as possible.
Our experts will inspect and verify the source of the swarm and recommend a suitable treatment plan to best target any termites found in or around your home, and keep these destructive pests away.
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.
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