30 Aug Can Termites Fly?
Can Termites Fly?
Can Termites Fly?
Flying termites are homeowners’ worst nightmare. Unfortunately, they can be found all over Australia and they can easily multiply during the warm season. In Australia, as the summer season approaches, the tropical downpour becomes a perfect breeding ground for termites.
There are several species of termites. But when you find a flying termite, you are seeing the subterranean termite. This type of termite is the only one able to develop sexually and become queens. They fly to look for other locations to feed but once they find a perfect spot, they share their wings and settle in the wood where they start another colony of termites.
Flying Termites vs. Flying Ants – Can You Tell The Difference?
Flying termites are often mistaken for flying ants because they look the same. The main difference between the two creatures is the wings. Termites have four equal size wings while ants have much larger front wings than the bottom.
The antenna can bend at 90 degrees angle while that of the flying termite is always looking up with a very slight bend at the end. Moreover, ants have darker colors than termites which are usually light beige or whitish gold. Termites are also slightly bigger than ants by 2-3 millimeters. Lastly, flying ants have tails while termites only have heads, bodies, and wings.
Termites Flying Inside Your Home
When termites start flying inside your home there could be undiscovered infestations somewhere inside your home. Winged termites instantly choose to fly from the highest points of their gallery system towards a lower spot. If termites have been settling in the exposed ceiling beams or timber paneling, they can pour out into the living areas and only get as far as the floor. However, since winged termites love warmer conditions, they would have to wait for the night until the air is humid.
Are flying Termites attracted to light?
Like most flying insects, termites are attracted to all sources of light. They are particularly attracted to straight lighting, which is why you can see termites swarming around your ceiling light. When termites come to your house, they come stealthily in colonies.
Also known as alates, winged termites are in their reproductive stage. Flying male and female alates emerge from existing colonies to merge with others. Swarming winged termites near the home nest could indicate a large colony in the yard or some other nearby location. Australian residents who find multiple alates inside will notice shed their wings around doors and windows.
Termites can be distressing to some homeowners. You can try turning off all your lights and opening all your entryways. This should send termites away as quickly as they entered.
To completely remove all termites from your home, you need the help of a professional termite specialist.
Flying Termites vs. Drywood Termites
Winged termites nest in the ground. They require at least three things to survive in a structure: wood, a constant source of moisture, and security. As long as these elements aren’t found in your home, they will stay in the ground. A complacent homeowner may think that subterranean termites will never get their way to a house.
But as soon as they find a secured location, they will use mud tubes to invade it. This includes a damp cave, moist ceiling, humid attic, or decaying gutter. Drywood termites don’t dig mud soil, needing zero contact with the ground. They infest houses by air and survive in wooden structures without moisture. They feed on wooden structures and will stay until they hollow out everything.
Australian Termites Fly-in Warm Weather Days & Humid Evenings
The Spring season is the breeding ground for subterranean termites or winged termites. This is also the best time to look around your veranda windows, patios, and foundations that are close to the ground
Although winged termites settle in the ground, they can easily invade a home once they find a chance. Their mud tunnels protect them from predators, dehydration, and other elements that try to destroy them.One of the most common secondary signs that tell there’s a termite infestation in your home is excrement. Each species of termite has different eating and traveling habits, which you can detect in land mines they leave behind on a battlefield. Winged termites leave behind some sand residue or “carton”, which they used in creating mud tubes.
Conversely, dry wood termites create exit holes where they push their excrement out. It appears like fine grains of sand gathering in small piles on the floor. Moreover, winged termites are voracious feeders but they are also picky. While dry wood termites can feed on untreated hardwood, winged termites only feed on softwood. Moist or decaying woods are winged termites’ favorite because they are soft.
How do you get rid of flying termites?
Flying termites are very difficult to treat because they can easily fly anywhere. The best plan of defense is to have a termite control system in your home. It is a protective barrier that prevents termites from burrowing underground to build a colony. Without protection, your home could be exposed to these menacing termites just waiting for the slightest chance to get into your home.
A termite barrier can be installed by termite specialists around your home. Remember, it is always better to take necessary precautions and call a trained pest control expert for an inspection. Once a perimeter termite barrier is installed around your property, you breathe a sigh of relief knowing that your home is protected.
Conclusion
Many Australian homeowners face plenty of situations that can make blood pressure hike. The best defense against winged termites is making sure your home is clean. Make proper drainage, storage, and ventilation, and most importantly, have a professional termite inspection for your home annually. Feel free to contact The Local Guys if you need a reliable pest control expert to check your property.
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