Swarming usually occurs in the evening hours following a warm, rainy day in the late spring or early summer. A single colony of Formosan termites may release over 70,000 swarmers.

What time of year do Formosan termites swarm?

Eastern subterranean Termites swarm late March through early May. Formosan subterranean Termites swarm late May through June.

What causes Formosan termites to swarm?

If a Formosan termite colony has a lack of food or water, a swarm may be triggered. ... When Formosan termites are stressed, either in the soil or inside wood, they will leave their colony and seek food and water somewhere else. These termites depend on moisture, so they can't go long without some type of water.

Do termites come in swarms?

Termites swarm after their original colony has reached a certain capacity level and is ready to expand. For most colonies, this happens once a year. Hundreds or even thousands of swarmers, called alates, are produced with the sole purpose of reproduction and expansion.

Do termites swarm and then leave?

Termite swarms are a fast-paced phenomenon: One minute, there are no visible termites present. ... The term “termite swarm” refers to the phenomenon within a termite colony when, each spring, reproductive termites leave the warmth and darkness of their nest and come out into the open air by the thousands in order to mate.

Formosan Termites Swarming On A Saturday Night

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Do swarming termites outside mean infestation?

If you are a witness to hundreds of swarming termites outside, turn off all exterior lighting to avoid attracting them to your home. This is an indication that there is a termite colony nearby, somewhere in your yard. If you find swarming termites inside your house then you have an infestation.

How long does termite swarm last?

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 I stop swarming termites?

During swarming season, keep doors and windows shut as much as possible. Keep outdoor lights turned off at night also as they will attract swarming termites. Keep firewood stored at least 20 feet away from your home and elevated off the ground. Keep plants a few feet away from your home.

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 do you get rid of Formosan termites?

the best way of treating Formosan termites is to dig a trench around the home and place the treatment in the trench to act as a barrier. Taurus SC is our go-to product to use as it is a non-repellent that will kill termites without them knowing it. Dig a trench around your home 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide.

How often do Formosan termites swarm?

Formosan Termites swarm in the spring and summer months.

They often swarm at night. The alates will shed their wings after flight and find a safe place to mate (moist wood) and begin their colony by laying eggs. Mature colonies of Formosan Termites can have anywhere from 1-10 million termites within them.

How do I get rid of termites without tenting?

Microwave. Microwave is an effective method for localized, drywood termite infestations. This quick method directs microwaves at the infested area, penetrating the wood containing the termites. The microwaves turn to heat, almost instantly killing the termites.

What is a king termite?

Termite colonies have a queen and king. ... King termites are not well studied beyond their role in starting and maintaining viable colonies. King termites are male termites which are important in the evolution of a successful termite colony.

What attracts termites to a house?

In addition to wood inside the home, termites are drawn inside by moisture, wood in contact with house foundations, and cracks in building exteriors. Different combinations of these factors attract different species. Additionally, geographic location plays a role in how likely homeowners are to deal with infestations.

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.

Do flying termites mean infestation?

If you happen to find a handful of swarmers or even just a few discarded wings present inside your home, it doesn't necessarily mean you have a termite infestation. ... So next time you see flying termites there is no need to panic because they will not cause any damage to your home.

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.

Can you treat termites yourself?

Some of the best ways to get rid of termites is to apply termite-killing products to your home's exterior, use direct chemicals on the inside of your home, set up termite baits, and spray boric acid in your floors and walls.

Can you vacuum up termites?

If swarming termites emerge from areas in and around your home, do not panic. The swarming termites will drop and die in a short period of time. You may vacuum them up or you can save some in a bag for our company to inspect. They do not eat wood, bite, or sting, they are simply a nuisance.

Are termites in everyone's yard?

Most yards, especially those in older, established neighborhoods, support termites. While termites are more abundant in some locations, chances are good that your yard has termites. ... If you find any suspicious mud structures, leave at least part of the material in place for a professional termite inspector to examine.

What time of day do termites swarm?

Subterranean termites swarm during daylight hours in the spring. Drywood termites swarm in late summer to early fall.

How do you tell 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.

What time of year do termites swarm?

Spring is the swarming season for most subterranean termites. Most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer months, typically on a warm day with calm winds after a rainfall.