Flying termites are a type of subterranean termite that can fly in the air for up to 50 meters. They build their nests above ground and take off from there. When they take off from your house, you have flying termites.
If these tiny creatures are not removed immediately, they could seriously harm your house. Unfortunately, many people don’t know much about these types of pests or how to eliminate flying termites effectively. Let’s discuss everything you should know about how to get rid of flying termites.
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About flying Termites
Many have a common question do termites fly? Flying termites are winged termites, species that can fly to find new food sources or new places to build their nests. Most termites with wings are subterranean termites, although there are other types of flying termites that are not.
Subterranean or ground-dwelling termites live in underground tunnels, but those termites are attracted to light. If somebody asks you that are termites attracted to light? The answer is yes, of course. They build nests in soil, and the workers bring food to the nest to feed the rest of the colony.
Flying termites are usually the workers from the colony who fly to find new food sources or new places to build new nests. Subterranean termites sometimes referred to as “white ants,” are still the most popular type of termite in the US. These pests eat wood, paper, and other cellulose materials, like furniture, books, and newspapers. Another type of termite, the winged reproductive termite, takes flight to reproduce and establish new colonies.
What appearance do flying termites have?
The size and color of flying termites are incredibly tiny and dark. The termites have a yellowish light brown head, a brown body, and dark brown wings. Usually, flying termites are dark brown, but the queens are a dark reddish color.
They are barely about the size of a fingernail, measuring between 5 and 8 mm long. If you ever see termites flying around in your house, don’t ignore them. They could be an indication that there is already an infestation going on somewhere in your house.
If I observe termites flying, should I be concerned?
Do termites fly? You should be concerned if you observe flying termites. Flying termites are an indication that your home might be infested. If you see flying termites, there is a good chance that the nest is nearby.
You will likely find it in a place with high humidity, like your basement or crawlspace. If you see flying termites in your home’s kitchen, bathroom, or other dry areas, they may have come up through a pipe or be living in the wall. As quickly as you see any termites flying around, call an exterminator.
What attracts flying termites in your house
Humidity is the main factor that attracts flying termites. The higher the humidity level in your house, the more flying termites will be drawn to it. Flying termites like to build their nests in dark, warm, moist places like the basement or your walls.
They can cause significant damage to your home, so getting rid of them as soon as possible is critical. You can do a few things to lower the humidity in your house and reduce the chance of flying termites. You can start by fixing any leaks in your plumbing and roof.
Do swarming termites mean infestation?
It could. Swarming termites may or may not indicate an infestation. Of course, it is not good if you see termites in your home’s kitchen, bathroom, or other dry areas. But if you see a few termites flying around in your basement or walls, likely, there is already a nest somewhere nearby. This seems to be doubly true if you spot a termite swarm.
You can try to look for the nest by checking the walls, behind your appliances, and in your basement. The best times to accomplish this are early in the day or late at night when the bugs are not as busy. If you can’t find the nest, you should call an exterminator to have them exterminate the termites.
How can flying termites be eliminated naturally at home?
Getting rid of flying termites by using DIY remedies is a complex process. Because they can fly, they are much harder to kill than regular termites. You must exercise caution since these little creatures could seriously harm your home and belongings.
You might try a few multiple techniques to get rid of flying termites. You can use natural pesticides to kill the termites flying in the house. Doing this may prevent them from entering your house without endangering your family’s health.
How to stop flying termites from invading your home
There are a few things you can do to stop flying termites from invading your home. The first thing you should do is seal any openings or crevices in your house that could let flying termites inside. You can do this by tightening your roof, repairing loose boards, and caulking around windows or doorframes.
You could also try to make your house less humid. This will make it less attractive to flying termites and will make it less likely that they will nest in your home. Using a dehumidifier and opening your windows on good days, you may repair any plumbing leaks in your home.
FAQ.
Q. Do flying termites go away on their own?
Once airborne, they normally spend no more than an hour in the air. After that, they lose their wings, fall to the ground, and die from exposure or other termite-eating animals.
Q. How long do flying termites last?
Termites swarm around a light source, such as windows or glass doors, and typically last between 30 and 40 minutes. Without soil, they will perish within a few hours.
Q. Does a termite swarm means I have termites?
Even though termite swarmers don’t guarantee that your house has an active termite infestation, they could be the first red flag. Call a certified termite exterminator if you encounter a termite swarm.
Q. What time of the year are the termites most active?
Termites are particularly active in the spring and summer months.
Conclusion
You must get rid of these flying termites right once since they can seriously harm your home and belongings. When flying termites are in your home, you need to contact a professional exterminator immediately to eliminate them. They can also tell you what you could have done wrong in your home that allowed the flying termites to get inside in the first place.
You must act right away if you see these bugs flying about inside your home. Flying termites are harder to get rid of than regular termites and can cause a lot of damage to your home and furniture. I hope you don’t have the same question as “how to get rid of flying termites?” anymore.