are all over my neighborhood right now and its freaking me out slightly. keep seeing them in the outside lights. turned them off for now but geeez
ive got a termite bond but am under the impression the swarmers aren’t covered. anyone know any clever ways to rid of them?
“mr keys”
Part of the Lowcountry life style. We’ve got termite colony’s everywhere and swarm regular this time of year. The “swarmer’s” are just the females looking to make new coloney’s. As long as you’ve got a termite bond don’t worry about them.
Had some come out of the woods and the Mockingbirds were going crazy trying to eat them a couple of weeks ago. Got all in the pool.
Make sure they aren’t flying ants…they look almost the same.:
It is easy to tell an ant from a termite. You don’t need a microscope. All you have to do is get the bug to stand still, relatively speaking, and look at its midsection. The ants have wasp waists. Between the thorax and the abdomen is a narrow connection in ants, just like with wasps. The termites do not have this slender waist. Their width continues, gradually increasing, from the thorax to the abdomen.
John
probably flying ants, the rain had them out yesterday afternoon.
Do they look like this when they drop their wings? About 1cm long. Have found a bunch in the bath/bedroom. Exterminator coming out today.
Just what I need in addition to the sinkhole!!!
sealevelPete
The wing pairs on either Side of termites are the same length and on Ants one is longer than the other. Not to worry, they die within 24 hours.
sealevelpete…thatssssssssssssss a termite. Id keep the outside lights off at night and if that’s not an option invest in a few bug zappers. Otherwise,it is what it is…on another note. A termite bond, as far as I understand them, just covers them if there is an infestation or termites present somewhere in or on your house. They will treat it when seen, but that’s it. There are a few companies that will replace wood etc…, be sure to read the bond carefully. Anyone can go get insecticide and treat them yourself if you see them
Swarmers are short lived versions of the termite colony whose sole purpose is to breed and lay eggs. Chances are good that if they are in your house in large numbers the swarm originated from inside.
They fly around for a while and then they actually drop their wings and get down to business.
Common subterranean termites have to have access to the earth so swarmers in a house can’t start a new colony.
Drywood termites on the other hand can get moisture from the air. They don’t need a link to the soil.
I’m no expert but I think that looks like a subterranean termite. Once the link to the soil is broken the infestation dies off.
Thanks all, that’s some good info. I hope mcvlbound is right and they are subterranean.
sealevelPete
Man u guys live in a tough but awesome place. I’m doing some consrtruction down there. Look at a USGS map. Its the only place on the east coast in red…Same as So Cal. Earthquake and hurricane zone. Its really expensive to build a commercial dwelling. Then I find out about the termites…(**()…I’m glad that one wasn’t on me.
turned the lights off for a couple of nights and haven’t seen them since. good riddance!
“mr keys”
That?s because their wings fell off and they are under the floor. In a couple of days hold your ear to the floor and listen for a faint clicking sound. It usually takes them a few days to get some good wood and start making young?uns.
Originally posted by Mixed Nutz
It’s in pretty good shape for the shape it’s in!