What You Did Not Know About Termites With Wings

The wings of termites can be black, dark brown, or light in colour depending on the species. The darker colour allows termites with wings to retain moisture and also makes it easier for them to leave their nest.

Termites with wings have poor vision, while workers, soldiers, and secondary reproductive termites all lack eyesight.

Although termites with wings are similar to winged ants in appearance, they have distinct differences. Ants have a constrictive waist, whereas termites have one that is more straight.

Do you want to find out more? keep reading!

 

What Do Termites With Wings Look Like?

All termites with wings share one commonality: they have wings. These winged swarmers vary slightly in appearance based on their species.

The colour of the swarmers varies from red to dark brown or pale tan, with transparent or smoky grey wings.

The swarmers of subterranean termites are about three-eighths inch in length, dark brown or blackish with wings that extend beyond the body.

You can distinguish between subterranean and drywood termite swarmers based on the time of the year they are out.

The majority of subterranean swarms and mating occur in spring and summer. Drywood termite swarms are most common during the late summer and fall.

 

Pictures of Termites With Wings

 

Read also: Termite Worker: Facts, Infestation and How to Get Rid

 

Can a Termite With Wings Fly?

Some termites are able to fly, but they’re not all. Termites of different species can fly in their reproductive stages, but only one caste has wings.

The winged termites that fly in groups are known as “swarmers”, “alates”, or “alates”. The winged termites are only able to fly short distances and for a very limited period of time each year.

The winged termites shed their wings once they land.

 

How Do Termites With Wings Fly?

Rain and high humidity can trigger termite swarms. They can also occur with different species. To increase their chances of survival, termites fly in the spring after rain.

Termites can fly or not depending on the role they play in the colony and the stage in their life cycle. The reproductive process of termites includes flight.

The termites that fly are reproductive adults. Subterranean termite colonies can produce swarmers that leave their nests underground to reproduce and create new colonies when conditions are ideal.

Drywood swarmers also left their wood tubes and homes to create new colonies. Swarms of termites can occur at any time, but they are more common in spring when temperatures are warmer.

When termites swarm, the species of termites as well as their geographic location may also be factors. These swarmers shed their wings once they have mated, and located a location to start a colony.

 

How Do I Describe an Infestation By a Termite With Wings?

Termites can be a serious problem in your home. It takes about three to six years for colonies to reach the stage where they produce alates.

The termite workers that feed on wood can cause costly damage to buildings during this period and for as long as the colony remains active.

The worker termites consume the interior soft wood of supports and other wooden components but leave the outer shell intact.

Termite damage can be hidden for many years before it is revealed by mud tubes, wood cracks, or the collapse of the structure’s wooden frame.

 

Read also: How To Carry Out Orange Oil Termite Treatment

 

Does Termites With Wings Signify an Infestation?

Not necessarily. The wind can easily blow termites. One termite on the outside of a door or window does not necessarily indicate that there is a problem.

Do termites fly inside the house? A swarming of flying termites inside your house usually indicates that a termite colony is nearby.

Swarmers are a sign that either a colony has already grown after spending some time in your walls or swarmers will be setting up shop near or inside your home.

In either case, termites are likely to have been present in the area for a long time. You should inspect your home to reduce the risk of damage from termites.

 

How Did I Get an Infestation of Termites With Wings In My Home?

Alates, or the reproductive stage of termites, are flying males and females that emerge from colonies to mate and create new nests.

A large termite colony could be nearby if you see a flying swarm of termites near your home.

If you find multiple alates in your home, see their shed wings around windows and doors, or notice them coming out of the exterior, then there is an active infestation.

 

How Do I Get Rid Of Termites With Wings?

A properly maintained house is the best way to protect yourself from winged termites. It is important to have your home inspected annually by a professional for termites. This includes drainage, storage and ventilation.

Termites with wings are helpful because they can indicate a problem with termites that would otherwise go undetected until there is damage. Be on the lookout for signs and read them when you spot them.

 

Read also: Do Ants Eat Termites?: A Shocking Discovery

 

Conclusion

A sudden appearance of termite insects indoors can be a sign of termites in your home. This is a good indication to have a termite check.

It is not enough to see winged termites for you to have a termite check. You should get a termite check before you see swarmers.

Termites develop wings only after a colony is mature and ready to expand. Termite colonies usually mature in three to four years.

These winged termite colonies will now leave their nests to find mates and form new colonies. Some fly at night and use lights to meet.

After fertilization, winged termites move toward the ground and break off their wings to try and form a new colony. Thanks for reading!

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