Termite Swarms

Winged termites have pigmented bodies with broad waists and two pair of wings that are equal in size and shape. Subterranean termite swarmers have bodies about 1/4 inch in length. The swarmers quickly shed their wings after a brief flight. Winged ants have pinched waists and two pair of wings that differ in size and shape (front pair is large, hind pair is much smaller). Flying ants shed their wings like termites. Termites have wings that are all the same size. If the hind wings are much smaller than the front wings, you have ants. Collect a few and have them identified by a professional if you want to be sure. For more details, visit our Termite Swarmer/Winged Ant Comparison information.

Continued swarming after a conventional soil treatment can mean one of four things:

1. The termites are still finding an "unprotected" access point into the structure where the termiticide application has not created an effective barrier to stop entry.
2. Termites are swarming into an area where there is no food source (wood) to sustain ongoing activity. They swarm at this location, then go elsewhere for food requirements.
3. The soil barrier is in place, but the termites are able to find a "bridge" over the treatment. The underside of concrete slabs can permits this to happen.
4. The barrier is working to stop movement of termites back and forth from the ground to the structure, but the termites are able to obtain moisture from inside the structure and do not need to return to the soil. This moisture source is usually a leaky pipe, shower pan or roof/gutter leak.

Subterranean termites come from the ground to enter structures. Wood portions of the structure (and its furnishings) that are closest to the foundation level are probably more prone to infestation, but termites can move to other areas. The typical evidence of infestation is the presence of dirt-like shelter tubes that the termites use to conceal themselves as they cross masonry foundation materials. The swarmer termites can enter the home at any one of these access points.

Subterranean termite swarmers are attempting to pair with a swarmer of the opposite sex from another colony. They must locate a suitable habitat to establish a new colony of their own. They need moist soil, preferably in direct contact with wood, in order to survive. The termites that swarm inside a structure and cannot get out will quickly die from lack of available moisture. The termite colony that produced the swarmers will continue to be active after the swarm has taken place.

Subterranean termite swarmers are looking for moist soil in close proximity to wood in order to start a new colony. The likelihood of these conditions exiting inside your home is very remote, so unless the swarmers get outdoors, they will not survive.