What You Should Know About Termite Swarming Season

A termite infestation is when a large number of termites, also known by alates, leave an existing colony to establish new ones. The alates will gather together to start looking for a new place. A termite swarm can look quite strange if you've never seen one.

Alates are not known to eat the cellulose found in wood. However, if termites decide to make their home on your property they could quickly become a problem. A termite colony is one of the most common ways homeowners will be alerted to termites' presence.

What do termite and termite swarmers look at?

They are approximately an inch long and dark in color. There are two pairs of wings, each of equal size. Although flying termites may be similar to ants, there are a few key differences. The waistline of ants is narrower than that of termites. Termite wings can be uniformly larger than ant wings. You will not be able to see enough to distinguish the difference when termite colonies are large. But any large termite swarm worth your time should be taken care of as quickly as possible. You can take a closer look at our full guide on the differences between flying Ants vs termite Swarmers.

Why do termites flock?

Termites begin swarming when a colony feels ready to expand or find new food sources. Termite colonies only grow one time per year. Once they find a good home, winged termites stop swarming. They will settle down in the new area. The wings of the alates will eventually fall off as they mature and they will start mating in order to create a new colony.

What is the best time to swarm termites?

Termite termite-swarming season is subject to change depending on the type of termite. However, it generally occurs in late spring or early summer. If you're worried about termite activity, March will be a good month to monitor. However, termite activity can be predicted at any time of year, and there is no precise formula.

Is there a difference between termite or swarming season?

Yes. Yes. If termites exist already, it's possible they are eating as much wood as they can, and causing damage to your property. Termite activity may not be tied to the termite swarming period. Termites are technically a pest that is all-season.

What are the different types of termite nesters?

The most common termite type in the US is dry wood termites. Formosan termites are second and subterranean. Each type of termite is different in its swarming behavior, but they tend to swarm immediately after a rainfall and avoid high winds.