Termite Swarmers In Santa Clarita, CA

What Are Termite Swarmers?

Termite swarmers are the reproductive members of a termite colony. They are much larger than the worker or soldier termites, they have two sets of identical length wings, a set of straight antennae, and brownish or black bodies. Most termites spend their lives out of sight, but termite swarmers come out in the open to mate, so they’re often the only termites you’ll ever see to indicate that you have a termite infestation.

The longer termites are allowed to swarm around your property, the more certain you can be that they’ll find their way into your home. If you are unsure or think you might have seen swarmers around your home, don’t hesitate: call us immediately for an inspection! 

When Do Termites Swarm?

Like many animals, termites usually mate at certain times of the year. When this occurs, it’s called a termite swarm. Subterranean termites swarm in the spring. This usually occurs on a sunny day after rain. Because bathrooms and kitchens sometimes create a similar environment of high humidity, warmth, and bright light, a swarm can sometimes be triggered indoors.

Drywood termites typically swarm in late summer. They usually swarm during the day, most often in the afternoon.

What Are The Signs Of A Termite Swarm?

There are a couple of things to be on the lookout for when identifying a termite swarm. You may see the swarm itself. If this happens, you’ll see a large group of swarmer termites. These can sometimes be mistaken for flying ants, but there are a few key differences between the two.

First, termites have two sets of equal-length wings while ants have two sets of wings that are two different lengths. Second, termites have straight antennae while ants have elbowed antennae. Finally, termites have broad abdomens while ants have pinched abdomens.

It’s possible to see the signs of a termite swarm without seeing the termites themselves. After termite swarmers have found their mates, they drop their wings before going off to start their own colonies. If you find a grouping of discarded wings that are all equal in length, especially somewhere with bright light, like near a window, you’ve likely found remnants of a termite swarm.

What Does It Mean If You’ve Found A Termite Swarm?

Finding a termite swarm in your house indicates that a termite colony is already in your house and needs to be addressed. However, just because a swarm has ended this doesn't mean your home is safe since the workers are still in the structure feeding. Remember the swarmers represent only a small portion of the colony.