Is it normal to have flying termites (white ants) in my house?
In the past few weeks, your home might have been one of the thousands in Brisbane to have been inundated with “flying termites”. This is an annual phenomenon that understandably freaks out many homeowners.
- Where did they come from?
- Does this mean I have termites in my house?
- Why me?
99% of the time, these flying reproductive termites (Alates) haphazardly travel to your house carried by the breeze. They quickly seek the coolest place in the house, usually the bathrooms or subfloor. The breeze normally lands them on your roof and then they drop down through ceiling vents and light fittings.
If you only see a few hundred inside, this is what has happened. If you see thousands and thousands inside, you might have a flight tube emitting the termites inside the house.
When do flying termites take to flight in Brisbane?
This phenomenon occurs annually from late October through to February. During this period, they leave the nests (trees, tree stumps, bushland, even your home) from a ‘flight tube’ to begin their own new colony.
If the humidity and temperature are just right and there is a gentle breeze that night, millions upon millions of winged termites, called Alates, take to flight seeking another mate from a different nest. The experts believe that a sudden drop in air pressure triggers multiple swarms.
What do they look like?
Termites have a ‘cigar-shaped abdomen. Alates are distinguished by their grey/black wings, large black eyes and golden-cloured body. Check if their body isn’t segmented like an ant or wasp.
Difference between termites and black ants
Why does this happen?
Their sole task is to find a mate of the opposite sex and set up home in a decayed moist log or stump where the female can lay a couple of dozen eggs, raise the babies and then allow the new brood to take over the care and maintenance of the new colony. The queen then goes about producing literally millions of eggs for the next 10 to 20 years.
When a termite colony reaches a certain size and maturity, several thousand reproductive termites will start growing wings, preparing for a once-in-a-lifetime flight. It can take a few months to get them ready for their big breakout, and during this time, they’ll be given the best of the food and will be taken care of. When they are ready, and the weather conditions are right, thousands and thousands of them will take to flight from nests (some of them swarm after rains, most when the weather is very humid. Most swarm at dusk).
You’ll often see these winged or flying termites swarming around lights, whether street lights or your outdoor light if it’s left on. As mentioned, they meet other termites of the same species, also swarming from their own colonies. After this, the fertilised alates shed their wings and go in search of a spot to make a nest and begin a colony of their own.
Should I worry if I find flying termites in my house?
You may fear that your home is under attack and turn into mulch overnight. Don’t panic, though. To say the least, it can be very upsetting for a homeowner to suddenly find themselves surrounded by thousands of winged termites.
The first thing to remember - alates are terrible flyers. They really can only fly a couple of hundred metres from their original nest. Secondly, at this stage, they can’t do any harm to your property (although the amount of Mortein you may find yourself tempted to spray at them is a whole other story! :) It won’t actually help though.
Unless you actually find these alates flying out of holes in your walls, cracks in your ceiling or from under your house etc, relax. But if you see them emerging from your home, it is a cause for concern. It means there is almost certainly already an active, large colony of termites at work on your house. If that’s the case, time is of the essence.
Get a termite inspection done annually.
Regarding termite inspections, it’s important to find a professional who is trained and experienced. Conquer Termites Inspector will be able to correctly identify any potential issues and provide you with a report outlining recommended treatment options.
Collect samples of the termites
If you can, collect a couple of samples, put them in something like a zip-lock bag, and place them in the freezer. Then book a termite inspection so a fully licensed and qualified technician can come to your home and see if a nest has been set up somewhere on your property.
Interesting video explaining the Flying Termite phenomena - presented by PBS Digital Studios, USA
If you are concerned, contact us NOW.
