Termites are social insects that organize themselves into large colonies, often hidden from plain sight. A natural part of their life cycle is swarming, crucial for the continuation and expansion of termite populations.
The Swarming Event
Termite swarming is a dispersal flight where winged reproductive termites, called alates, emerge from an existing mature colony. Its primary purpose is reproduction and the establishment of new colonies. Hundreds to thousands of alates, both male and female, are produced by a mature colony, typically once a year.
The timing of these swarms is influenced by environmental conditions, such as temperatures and high humidity, often occurring after rainfall. Different termite species may swarm at various times of the year, with many subterranean termites swarming in spring and drywood termites in late summer or early fall. During a swarm, alates are attracted to light, leading to their frequent observation near windows or light fixtures.
The Fate of Termite Swarmers
Despite their numbers, many termite swarmers do not survive. Most alates die shortly after swarming due to various challenges. Predation is a major factor, with swarmers eaten by birds, other insects like ants and dragonflies, and lizards and frogs.
Environmental factors also contribute to their high mortality. Swarmers are vulnerable to desiccation and exhaustion if they cannot quickly find suitable moist soil or a protected location. If they swarm indoors, they often die quickly due to a lack of moisture and inability to escape. Only a small percentage survive this journey. Those that do survive will shed their wings, pair off as a king and queen, and seek a suitable location to establish a new colony to begin the reproductive cycle.
What Swarming Termites Indicate
The presence of swarming termites, even if many of them die, is an indicator for homeowners. It signals that a mature termite colony is established either within or near a structure. A colony typically needs to be several years old and large enough to produce reproductive swarmers.
Therefore, seeing swarmers means that an active infestation exists or that there is potential for one nearby. Even if individual swarmers perish, the existing colony persists and poses a threat to wooden structures. Discarded wings, often found near windowsills or light sources, are another sign that a swarm has occurred and a colony is present.