Why Do Flying Termites Suddenly Appear? [Exposed]

Inspection is necessary as it helps you prevent any sudden infestation that may want to catch you off-guard.

In the article below, I have come up with vital reasons why these flying termites appear suddenly in the house without a warning!

 

What Do Flying Termites Look Like?

Even though the question still remains, why do flying termites suddenly appear? It is still important that you are able to identify this insect (pests, as they are formally known), as this will help in its efficient control.

In the United States, there are 3 commonly found types of flying termite species and they include the following:

• Drywood termites
• Dampwood termites
• Subterranean termites

These termite species are the most commonly found in the area, and it is quite certain that if any termite were to suddenly appear in your home, it would be either of them.

Flying termites are referred to as swarmers and will usually be seen swarming whenever they are looking to begin a new colony. They usually come out in large numbers and are often seen flying around during the swarming season.

The flying termites that suddenly appear in the house can be identified by the following bodily features:

• They have straight antennae.
• Their colors range from brown to black.
• They have broad waists.
• They have 4 translucent wings.

Being able to properly identify the flying termite is crucial, as they are mistaken for the ant species that also fly (swarm). Mistaking one for the other can lead to the application of the wrong control method.

In contrast to the flying termites, the ant species (that swarm) can be distinguished by the following bodily features:

• They have bent antennae.
• Their waists are more narrow than the waists of the termites.
• Their forewings are larger than their rear wings.

 

Read also: Termite Barriers For Existing Homes: How They Work

 

Why Do Flying Termites Suddenly Appear?

Why do flying termites suddenly appear in the house? Well, termites are generally seen flying around during certain periods or seasons. February is when flying termites are likely to appear suddenly in your home.

Why do flying termites suddenly appear though? It is quite simple and is described below:

• Termites will appear suddenly as the temperature begins to rise.
• This rise in the air temperature triggers the flying termites to emerge from their nests in large numbers.
• They will usually swarm towards light sources in the night.
• Some flying termite species will often be seen swarming after heavy downpours.

When these flying termites emerge from their nests, they go out to create new nests and begin a new colony.

 

How Long Do Flying Termites Swarm?

How long flying termites swarm is dependent on the following 3 factors:

• The environmental condition
• The termite species
• The size of the colony

Depending on the nearness of an infestation, flying termites may swarm for as long as 20 minutes to an hour and will even swarm for days if they have established a big colony during the infestation.

 

What are the Signs of Flying Termites in the Home?

There are various visible signs of flying termites in the home that you must be aware of, and these signs include the following:

• Discarded Wings:

During and after swarming, you will often come across a couple of discarded wings that have been left behind by some termite swarmers. Since their wings are very fragile, they may likely come off during flight.

• Visible Sighting of Swarmers:

Yes, this is another sign that makes what you are dealing with obvious. When termites infest, they may go for a long period of time unnoticed, until, of course, the swarming season, when they have to emerge from the colony to mate and begin new colonies.

 

Read also: Pressure Treated Wood Termites: How Termites Bypass This Wood In 2024

 

How To Get Rid of Flying Termites that Suddenly Appear in House

For flying termites to suddenly appear in your home, then it means that you had/have not been consistent with regular house inspections.

Regularly inspecting your home will prevent you from being caught off-guard by these pesky flying termites.

Below are a few steps to prevent and also get rid of termites that suddenly appear in the house:

• Fix plumbing leaks.
  • Install dehumidifiers in your basements or attics.
  • Avoid excessive condensation.
  • Fix any drainage concerns that may cause water flow to be stagnant.
• Avoid stacking wood piles close to the exterior walls of your home.
• During construction, ensure to use treated wood, as this guarantees your safety from these flying termites.
  • Using untreated wood is not a bad idea, but who knows which one may be harboring termites?
• Quickly remove excess debris, tree stumps, leaf litter, etc. from your surrounding area, as they tend to attract termites.
• The soil must not come into contact with the wood in your structure. If it does come into contact, it will only serve as a passageway from the soil to your structure.
• Create a barrier between the foundation of your structure and mulch.

With the above methods properly followed, I doubt you would also be asking the question, Why do flying termites suddenly appear?

 

Read also: Termite Damage In Crawl Space: The Unimaginable Effect

 

Conclusion

As a termite, it gets to that season when you have to leave the colony to the big world, where you search for a compatible mate and establish your own colony.

Flying termites are called warmers because they (as sexually mature termites with wings) have to leave their nests to avoid overcrowding and also to begin another colony elsewhere.

Once the male locates the female he likes, they both break off and discard their wings (a symbol of commitment in the termite kingdom). They then chose new nest locations, mate, and become kings and queens of the newly founded colony.

Surely this must have been an interesting read for you as it was for me, the writer? If you do have any questions relating to the subject topic, please feel free to ask them via the comments section below!

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