Springtime is Here! (And So Are the Swarmers!)

Advisory Report - March 2003

Springtime is Here! (And So Are the Swarmers!)

It’s March and for most of us, that means that we are but a month away from the glorious onset of springtime: warm weather, spring gardening, vacationing, and the like. For a certain insect among us, namely the termite, it’s getting close to that special time of year when they take flight and, yes, swarm. 

Late March and the entire month of April are referred to in the pest control industry as “Termite Swarming Season”, the time when a portion of a mature colony leaves it to start its own colony. Homeowners who have dealt with what, in the least, can be a nuisance, and at the most, the beginnings of a full-blown termite infestation on their properties, often roll their eyes at the mention of it. 

What is termite swarming? What triggers it? What can homeowners do to prevent it? And, for those who have dealt with these “secretive forces of nature” in the past, what relationship does their pest control company play in their ongoing maintenance and prevention of a recurring termite infestation?

Termite swarming is an event when certain members within a colony leave to establish a new colony. These certain members, known as winged reproductives, alates, or swarmers, come from mature termite colonies, typically aged from three to four years. These swarmers leave the established colony, usually around April, to search for a new home to build a colony. Although they have wings, swarmers are weak flyers which rely on the wind to carry them for distances of up to one mile from the original colony.

A swarm may last between 15 minutes and one hour and is accompanied by broken wingpads left by fluttering termites journeying to find a new home. Swarming typically occurs during warm weather, usually triggered by rainfall. Although late March and April are typical swarming months, swarms on unseasonably warm December days are not uncommon in some areas of the country. In other areas, a regular, warm climate leaves an opportunity for swarming at any time of the year. Swarming may occur outdoors or indoors, and in centrally heated buildings, subterranean termites may swarm at any time. Swarmers have been found in heated houses even in January. 

What’s a homeowner to do? With respect to swarming, not much. When a swarm occurs, an existing colony is probably close by, but not necessarily infesting the house. Nevertheless, once a homeowner spots a swarm they should have a professional termite inspection done to ascertain if an infestation is indeed present in their home. Should the house be infested a variety of treatment methods, including chemical barriers and bait stations may be used for termite control. These may also be used preventatively, if the inspector does not find an active infestation on the property. 

Homeowners can do a great deal aside from chemical treatments to prevent subterranean termite infestations. Shrubbery should not be in contact with the house. If it is, trim it back so that a two- to three-foot distance from the house is maintained. Excessive moisture areas or standing water should be immediately corrected. Subterranean termites need moisture for survival. They also need food, so any cellulose material or debris present in crawlspaces or in contact with the house proper should be removed. Otherwise, the homeowner has opened a new restaurant for their neighboring termite colony. If pier or deck posts are in direct contact with the ground and are not pressure-treated, concrete footers should be poured, or exposed if already present. 

If the home is under contract with a professional pest control company for termites, the home owners should not hesitate to call their company’s representative if they spot swarmers. At the very least, they ought to have an inspection. If the property is re-infested the homeowners may be eligible for localized or full re-treatment of their property, depending on their termite agreement. 

So, seasons are changing. Spring, baseball, and yes, the termites, are here. In the midst of spring cleaning, gardening, and getting outdoors after a long winter’s nap, be sure to call your local professional termite inspector to give your home a clean bill of health!

Click here to learn more about termites and other wood destroying organisms.

Contributed by Daniel Sebastianelli
Senior Specialist, Environmental Division
U.S. Inspect, LLC