Our homes provide shelter and protect us from environmental elements. It is only understandable that homeowners also implement steps that will protect the property from potential damage. Aside from the forces of nature, there are also pests and insects that can seriously inflict damage to your home’s structure. Flying ants and termites with wings are insects that feed on wood. Some people mistake them for flying ants, however, they are different. When winged termites start a colony in your home or property, they can become a destructive problem. If you see a flying termite around your home, it is a sign that there might be a colony or swarm that has started infestation.
Alates or male and female flying termites mean that the insects are reproducing and leaving their existing colonies to reproduce in a new colony. If there are swarms on your property, you have to investigate to ensure that no colony is starting in your home. Discovering that there are winged termites colonies might be worrisome but have no fear. There are various steps that you can take to address this pest problem and protect your home.
What Are Flying Termites and How Do You Get Then in Your Home?
Winged termites have an almost transparent and veiny appearance. They are different from flying ants. These termites’ body length is equal to the length of their wings and they have a slightly curved antenna. Termites vary in sizes in colors depending on their species. They are less than an inch long and can be white, black, or dark brown.
There are various reasons why flying termites get into your property. Changes in weather such as heavy rains, humid and warm weather are strong magnets for termite swarmers. If you are located in a cold place, your home’s warm interiors may also attract flying termites to start a colony.
Once these colonies have become established, some termites with wings will fly out due to inadequate food or overcrowding. Thus, if you see a flying termite swarm, it could mean that there is a large subterranean termites colony in or around your home which is going to expand.
How to Know if there is Flying Termites Colony In Your Home?
Flying termites are often difficult to catch because they might only be a passing event. To check for possible infestation, look out for piles of discarded wings. It means that there are mature termites that left their colony to start a new one someplace. You will also notice termite dropping or frass around your property near new colonies.
Other signs that there are subterranean termites in your home include:
- Mud tubes along the foundation of the house
- Wood that seems hollow when tapped
- Rattling sounds in the walls or termites “headbanging”
- Noticeable damage in the exterior of the wood
- Small holes and shavings on nearby trees
- Uneven and bubbling paint
- Hollowed-out wood in the property
You may also find termites wings, dead termites, or droppings on your pet’s fur. Pay close attention to their coat when you bathe or groom them.
How Long Does Termites Infestation Lasts?
Reproductive termites that have matured from a colony will soon fly out from their nest in swarms to start new colonies. These flying termites or swarms can fly off in 30 to 40 minutes as they seek out a light source.
Flying termites only uses their wings to fly a short distance from their nest. Once they find a suitable location to start a new colony, they will shed their wings and they won’t be able to fly again. These termites will start to burrow into the soil where they will start a new colony. If they do not find soil soon, they will die from dehydration.
Termites with a wing can be a king or queen of a colony. Termite colonies can last for more than a decade when the conditions are favorable for them and they have a queen surviving over time.
Getting Rid of Flying Termites
Once you notice swarms of flying termites, act quickly to see if there is a source colony in your property. You can take steps to get rid of these swarmers colonies by setting up baits, application of barrier treatment, or calling experts on termite control such problems. As soon as you discover a termites colony on your property, you have to decide on the best course of action to take. Acting quickly will help prevent serious damage to your home.
How to Protect Your Home Against Flying Termites?
Swarming subterranean flying termites with wings indicate that there is a thriving colony near your property. And the best way to keep them away is to prevent colonies from starting in your home. Some preventive measures that you can do to protect your home include the following:
Close Off Potential Entry Points – check for cracks or gaps in the wooden foundation of your home’s structure. Termites foods such as mulch should also be constantly cleaned off and kept away from the foundation.
Address Any Moisture Problem in Your Home – make sure that there is no excess water in your crawl spaces, roof, basement, and foundation. Flying termites can reach all these spots which are a prime location for starting a new colony.
FAQs
Can I Get Rid of the Termites?
Depending on the severity of the termites problem, homeowners can take easy steps to handle termite infestation in their property. However, when DIY methods don’t work, it is best to call in termite control experts to solve the issue for you.
How Much Does Termites Treatment Cost?
You may inquire with a pest control agency for a quote on the cost of having termites treatment for your home. You will be asked some details about your property and they will give you prices depending on the severity of the infestation. Other factors that affect the costs include the foundation of the home, the size of the property that will be treated, the kind of damage, and the techniques they will use to solve your termite problem.
What Termite Treatment Company Should I Call?
If you have a termite infestation problem in your property, consult your friends and family for referrals. They may have recommended companies that can also help you with your pest issues. Always hire the best ones in your area. Check if the technicians are experienced, licensed, knowledgeable, and insured in their work. You will notice these qualities as early as the time you inquire or as for a quotation from them. They should be able to give you a report and provide clients with a guarantee for their services.
Conclusion
Flying termite infestation is one of the leading causes of damage to a home structure. Homeowners may not notice how their homes deteriorate from the inside of the structure due to flying termites. Thus, always monitor pests and insects around the property. If there are swarms of termites with wings, it is a clear sign that there is a growing colony in the area. You can use home remedies or DIY termite treatments to address the issue on your own. But if the infestation has gone worse, it is best to call for professional pest control to eliminate them. Afterward, ask the technicians for advice on the best preventive measures that you can install to prevent a similar infestation from happening.
