You may have heard various homeowners discussing termite swarmers. You even may have witnessed some of them around your house but due to their small size, you couldn’t recognize them.
Whenever there is a termite infestation in the house, the chances of encountering a termite swarmer are very high.
But what does termite swarmer mean? What is swarming?
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Just like these, many questions come to our minds regarding termite swarmers.
In this article, we are going to discuss the FAQs (frequently asked questions) related to termite swarmers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Do You Mean by Termite Swarmers?
Swarmers are also known as alates. Alates are the reproductive caste of termites. Termites with wings or flying termites are termed swarmers.
How Big is a Termite Swarmer?
Termites swarmers are about ⅜ inches in length including their wings.
What is Swarming?
Swarming is a process in which termites leave their old colonies and start flying to new areas. They fly in groups and search for a suitable location.
Why Do Termites Swarm?
Termites swarm to increase their numbers and develop some more colonies. They swarm when their colony is full and are ready to expand. After finding a suitable location, swarmers begin to search for a mate so that they can reproduce, and thus establish their new colony.
Do Swarming Termites Mean Infestation?
Termites swarm when their colony reaches a certain size. So if you see flying termites around your house, then there are high chances of having an infestation nearby. Also, it indicates that they may develop a new colony around your house. They have found a suitable location.
Why Do Flying Termites Suddenly Appear?
Flying termites usually appear in the spring season or when there is humidity. When they find a suitable temperature, they start flying. You can also witness them after rain when the air is still and calm.
Are Swarmers Termites Harmful?
No, swarming termites are not harmful. You may get worried about seeing a large number of termites flying around but the reality is they do not cause any structural damage.
What to Do if You Find a Termite Swarmer?
Termite swarmers around your house mean that either there is already a colony or a new one is going to be developed. In both these cases, you have to start the inspection process. Look for colonies and take some preventive measures to avoid the development of new colonies.
Do Swarmer Termites Eat Wood?
Termite swarmers do not eat wood. They neither bite it nor sting it. They are just a nuisance for homeowners. They don’t even construct any mud tubes or cause any structural damage. They live for a short period.
How Long Do Swarmer Termites Live after they swarm?
A termite swarm typically lasts for about 30-40 minutes. The life expectancy of termite swarmers depends upon the availability of soil around them.
On not finding soil, they can die within a few hours from dehydration.
What Home Remedy Can I Use to Get Rid of Flying Termites?
Vinegar and orange oil are the most common natural treatments that can be used to get rid of termites.
All you have to do is mix vinegar with 2 lemons to make a termite killer. Orange oil is already deadly to termites. Spray any of these on any flying termites you see.
How Do You Prevent Termite Swarmers?
During the swarming season keep the doors and windows shut as much as possible. Check for gaps and cracks and seal all of them.
Get rid of the moisture. Leakage should be checked. Make sure that the drainage process is going smoothly and there is no collection of water in your yard.
Inspection should be done periodically and keep the termite killers ready.
Conclusion
Termite swarmers do not cause damage, but that doesn’t mean their presence can be ignored.
Keep an eye on flying bugs around your house.
Their presence means either there is going to be an infestation or there is already one.
Termites living in those colonies will surely cause damage to your house and structures. So be alert.
