Flying termites, also known as alates, are the reproductive males and females produced by a mature termite colony. Their role is to leave their original colony, find a mate and attempt to establish a new colony.
Termite swarms generally occur during warm, humid conditions, often after rain and around dusk. Depending on the termite species and local conditions, swarming may occur during spring, summer or autumn rather than only in spring.
A swarm can contain hundreds or thousands of alates. However, most do not survive long enough to establish a colony because they are eaten by predators, become dehydrated or fail to find a suitable nesting site.
What Happens During a Termite Swarm?
When conditions are suitable, alates leave a mature colony through specially prepared exit points. They fly for a relatively short time before landing and shedding their wings.
A surviving male and female may then pair up and search for a protected location in which to begin a colony. If conditions are suitable, they become the founding king and queen.
The king and queen continue reproducing as the colony develops. A newly established subterranean termite colony usually takes time to grow and does not immediately cause major structural damage. However, a swarm inside or close to a building may indicate that a mature termite colony is nearby.
Are Flying Termites Dangerous?
Flying termites do not normally bite or sting people. Their presence is primarily a concern because it may indicate nearby termite activity.
A few alates flying into a home through an open window may have come from an outdoor colony. By contrast, large numbers emerging from a wall, floor, skirting board or another part of the structure may indicate concealed termite activity within or directly beneath the building.
Discarded wings around windows, doors, lights or skirting boards can also indicate that a swarm has recently occurred.
Flying Termites or Flying Ants?
Flying termites are often mistaken for flying ants. Look for the following general differences:
| Feature | Flying termite | Flying ant |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Straight or bead-like | Elbowed |
| Waist | Broad, without a narrow waist | Clearly narrowed |
| Wings | Two pairs of similar length | Front wings longer than rear wings |
| Wing shedding | Wings are readily shed after landing | Wings are generally retained longer |
CSIRO identifies straight antennae and wings that are shed readily as useful features for distinguishing termite alates from flying ants. research.csiro.au
Identification from appearance alone can still be difficult. Keep a clear photograph or a sample in a sealed container if this can be done without disturbing suspected termite activity.
For more identification advice, read what a termite looks like.
How Do Flying Termites Enter a House?
Outdoor alates may enter through:
- Open doors and windows
- Damaged insect screens
- Gaps around vents or rooflines
- Other small openings in the building
Swarming alates may also gather around indoor or outdoor lights. This does not necessarily prove that the building contains an active termite colony.
However, alates emerging directly from structural timber, wall cavities or flooring require professional investigation. Sealing the visible exit hole will not remove the colony and may cause the termites to emerge elsewhere.
What Should You Do if You Find Flying Termites?
If you find a large number of alates or discarded wings:
- Photograph the insects and where they appeared.
- Keep a sample in a sealed container if practical.
- Do not spray suspected termite entry points.
- Do not break open timber, walls or mud tubes.
- Arrange a professional termite inspection.
Spraying visible alates may kill those individual insects, but it will not address a concealed colony. Disturbing active termites can also make inspection and species identification more difficult.
Read about what attracts termites to a house and the signs of termites around trees to understand other possible risk factors.
Termite Inspections in Newcastle
A professional inspection can determine whether the alates simply entered from outside or emerged from termite activity associated with the property.
Newcastle Pest Exterminators provides professional termite inspections and detection. Our technicians inspect accessible areas for live termites, mud tubes, damaged timber, excessive moisture and possible concealed entry points.
If active termites are confirmed, we can recommend a suitable termite control plan based on the species, colony location, building design and extent of activity.
Contact Newcastle Pest Exterminators if flying termites have appeared inside or around your property.
