Do Termites Fly?

Do Termites Fly?

If you have seen small, winged insects emerging from the ground or swarming around your windows in spring, you may be wondering whether termites can fly. The answer is yes, some termites do have wings, and understanding what flying termites mean for your home is important.

Termite Swarmers

Not all termites fly. Within a termite colony, only the reproductive caste, known as swarmers or alates, develop wings. Swarmers are produced by mature colonies and emerge in large numbers, usually in spring, to mate and establish new colonies. After mating, swarmers shed their wings and burrow into the soil to start new colonies.

What Do Flying Termites Look Like?

Termite swarmers are about 3/8 inch long, with dark brown or black bodies and two pairs of wings that are equal in length. The wings are translucent and extend well beyond the body. After swarming, you may find piles of discarded wings on windowsills, near light fixtures, and around door frames.

Flying Termites vs. Flying Ants

Flying termites are often confused with flying ants, which also swarm in spring. The key differences are: termites have a thick, straight waist while ants have a pinched waist; termite wings are equal in length while ant wings have a larger front pair; and termite antennae are straight while ant antennae are elbowed.

What It Means If You See Swarmers

Seeing termite swarmers outside your home indicates that mature colonies exist in the area. Seeing swarmers inside your home is a more serious sign, as it likely means there is an active colony in or near your structure. Either way, a professional termite inspection is strongly recommended.

Swarming Season in Central Illinois

Subterranean termite swarming season in Central Illinois typically occurs between March and May, often triggered by warm rains followed by sunny weather. Swarms usually happen during the day and may last only 30 to 40 minutes, so they are easy to miss.

Protecting Your Home from Termites

Whether or not you have seen swarmers, regular termite inspections are the best way to protect your home. Terminix offers comprehensive termite inspections, treatment, and monitoring services throughout Central Illinois and Western Indiana. Contact us today for a free termite inspection and protect your biggest investment.