When you see flying termites, it’s time to call the professionals

A Scottsdale woman googled “pest control near me.” She then called her local pest control company and said she had ants flying in her house. A lot of ants.

They weren’t flying ants; they were flying termites.

Flying Termites vs. Flying Ants

Because we live in Arizona, termites are a fact of life. But it’s good to know the difference between flying ants and flying termites. Both insects can cause a great deal of damage.

One big difference is flying ants keep their wings. If you see discarded tiny, veined wings in your house it’s a clue you have a termite infestation. Termites leave their wings on windowsills, near exterior doors, etc.

Indoor swarming (ants or termites) is an indication of a well-established colony.

Flying ants have:

• A large set of wings and a smaller set of wings
• Bent antennae
• Reddish-black color
• What appears to be segmented bodies (they aren’t)
• Wing veins that aren’t clearly defined

Flying termites have:

• A uniform (not segmented-appearing) body
• Brownish-tan color
• Shimmery, lacey wing veins
• Straight or slightly curved antennae
• Two sets of wings the same size and longer than their bodies

Why You Have Flying Termites

“Swarmers” play a necessary role in termite reproduction. It takes 3-6 years before a termite colony has mature adults seeking a new breeding ground. The swarmers leave home, usually when the weather changes from spring to summer. But the worker-termites have been actively wrecking your property year-round.

There’s only one good thing about flying termites. If you weren’t sure you have an Arizona termite problem, flying termites remove all doubt. You need to take action.

What Not To Do About Flying Termites

Pesticide residues settle on floors and surfaces… which contributes to a higher risk of dermal contact for children who crawl and play on the floor. –MDPI.com

You see flying termites swarming around the kitchen light fixture. The worst thing you can do is grab a can of insecticide and start spraying.

• Toxins enter your body through your skin, by eating or drinking, and by breathing.
• You’re in the kitchen. Bug spray toxins can contaminate foods and appliances, like toasters, can openers…
• The indoor air quality is immediately compromised. Small children, infants, elderly, family pets, and chronically ill family members are at risk.
• You may kill them. But they would have died naturally within 30-40 minutes anyway.

The risks of OTC (over-the-counter) pesticides are:

• Central nervous system damage
• Dizziness
• Eye, nose, and/or throat irritation
• Headache
• Increased cancer risks
• Kidney damage
• Muscular weakness
• Nausea

There’s really only one thing to do when you see swarming termites.

Call Budget Brothers Termite & Pest Elimination

You’ve seen many DIY (do-it-yourself) and OTC liquids, bombs, sprays, baits, etc. to kill termites. Sometimes they appear to work, but they don’t. You don’t have the tools or the training to effectively eliminate termites.

Our team of termite professionals are licensed and trained to safely handle termite killers and other hazardous materials. Most importantly, we’re trained to protect you.

Termite control tools we use include:

• Boot covers
• Borescopes/visual probes
• Cap lights
• Chemical spill kits
• Concrete plugs
• Drill bats
• Drills
• Dust masks
• Dusters
• Foamers
• Full-arm PVC gloves
• Moisture meters
• Nitrile gloves
• Penlights
• Respirators
• Shovels
• Software
• Telescoping ladder
• Termite Baiting Tools
• Termite rods
• Tile/carpet punches
• UV flashlights

…and more, including PPE (personal protection equipment) and safety items to protect your property and furnishings.

We use the best available products in termite elimination. We guarantee it will eliminate termite-treated areas. Afterward, you should continue with annual termite inspections. And you should continue doing what you can to prevent termites from entering your home or yard.

Contact Budget Brothers for more information about treating flying termites (and ants, too).