Everything you need to know about flying termites

In some cases, termites stay carefully hidden away inside walls where they consume wood on a regular basis. This allows them to do considerable damage over the years. As a Phoenix homeowner, though, you should be on the lookout for flying termites. These pests are easier to spot than termites inside wooden structures. 

Appearance of Flying Termites

What do flying termites look like? These pests are often confused with flying ants, but they have a few distinct physical features. Winged termites have a thicker waist than flying ants. They have straight antennae rather than bent antennae, and both sets of wings are of equal size. Flying ants have two sets of wings that differ in size.

In addition to comparing physical features, keep in mind that flying termites discard their wings when they are done flying. Winged ants keep their wings. If you have termites around, one of the signs to look for is discarded wings. You might find these wings close to windows and doors or not far from your home exterior.

Behavior of Flying Termites

Why do some termites have wings while others don’t? Winged termites are known as alates that are responsible for reproducing. Other termite colony members, such as soldiers and workers, don’t have wings. Flying termites typically take flight on spring evenings, especially when it’s humid out. 

These termites fly in order to find new places to establish a colony. When they find a new spot and mate, they then shed their wings. Keep in mind that these termites are usually only able to fly for short distances. This is why you’re likely to find their wings near your home if you already have a termite infestation. The alates from your current infestation won’t go far when they leave to set up their new colonies. 

Problems with Winged Termites

You might be able to see winged termites swarming on humid evenings. They’re attracted to areas that offer light, such as windows. If you do notice them in or near your home flying around, this is a clear sign that you have a termite problem. These flying termites can make your termite problem even worse due to the new colonies they establish. 

New colonies of termites can find their way into your home. This can result in an even larger termite population that consumes the wood inside walls and other areas of your home. Since these pests can do damage over a number of years, it could be a while before you notice any problems. 

Termite Control for Winged Termites

How should you handle a winged termite problem? You should leave this to the professionals instead of tackling a termite infestation on your own. Professional pest control experts from Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination can inspect your property, determine where termite colonies are located and take steps to get rid of them. 

Keep in mind that the sooner you start having a termite problem dealt with, the lower risk you have of ending up with serious damage to your home. Some termite control methods can take a bit to be fully effective. Letting professionals handle your termite problem helps ensure that it’s done correctly.

If you see any termites in or around your Phoenix home, including flying termites, contact Budget Brothers Termite and Pest Elimination right away.