By Wade Hutcheson
Georgia Extension Service
Volume XXVII
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Swarming is often the first sign of termite trouble a
homeowner sees. But if
you see one, don’t panic.
A natural part of ants’ and termites’ regeneration process,
swarming events
are short-lived. Even if it is termites, there’s time to
respond properly.
Here’s what’s happening when termites swarm, how to
distinguish between ants
and termites and how to respond.
What’s a swarm?
First, the swarm. It’s the sudden emergence of hundreds,
possibly thousands
of swarmer ants or termites from their underground nests. It
often lasts only
minutes. The swarmers are winged reproductives being sent out
to mate and start
a new colony.
Several days of above-average temperatures followed by a
light rain will trigger
the event. When conditions are right, swarmers will emerge and
disperse. They
fly only a short distance, since they’re poor flyers.
When they fall to the ground, they lose their wings and begin
looking for a
mate. The lucky ones pair off and begin their search for a new
colony location.
Most swarms occur from March to May during the daytime. But
they can happen
anytime during the warm season. A single colony can swarm more
than once, but
the first swarm will be the biggest. It’s common for colonies
in the same area
to swarm on the same day.
Ants or termites?
As I said earlier, both ants and termites can swarm. Examine
a swarmer to see
if it’s an ant or a termite. To tell termites from ants, look
for:
- A straight, beaded antennae. (Ants have elbowed antennae.)
- No waist. (Ants have a pinched waist between body
regions.) - Two pairs of wings of the same size. (Ants have two
pairs, too, but the
front wings are larger than the hind pair.)
Having a swarm of termites inside the home is cause for
alarm, but try to control
your panic. Remember, these guys have small mouths, take small
bites and damage
wood slowly.
Controlling termites
If it takes a month to select a termite control company,
that’s OK. It’s better
to take the time to select a company that will give you the
best, most honest
effort at ridding your home of termites.
Dan Suiter, an Extension Service entomologist with the
University of Georgia
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, has
studied termites for
years. He offers this advice on hiring a termite control
professional:
- Hire a pro. Don’t try to treat your home, in any
way, for termites.
Only by hiring a professional can you get the techniques,
products and equipment
needed to adequately rid a home of termites. - Ask friends and neighbors about their experiences
with local companies.
Selecting a termite control company is like choosing any
other service or
business. Consistently good recommendations are your best
bet. So ask around. - Call your local Better Business Bureau about
companies in your area. - Call the Georgia Department of Agriculture to be
sure a prospective
company owns a state pest control license. - Before signing a company’s termite control contract, be
sure you clearly
understand what the contract covers and what it doesn’t.
Read the fine
print. - Have your home inspected annually for termites.
Try to arrange the
inspection during a warm time of the year, when termites
will be most active.
A thorough inspection should last an hour or more, and if
you have a crawl
space, the inspector should be dirty after the
inspection.
Termites are a part of life, especially in Georgia, or the
termite belt. All
homes should be inspected annually and treated when necessary.
Seeing a swarm
is interesting, but seeing one inside your home is a signal
you need to pay
attention to.
