Flying Termites
Flying Termites are enemies of property owners. Don’t let their size fool you, as these tiny critters can significantly damage your home and bank account. Termites cause billions of dollars in damages to homes and businesses in New Jersey each year.
In the US, termite damage and related services cost around $5 billion annually. The worst thing you can do is think this is just another bug and try to treat them with chemicals found at a local hardware store. Make no mistake: when you see flying termites in your home, you need professional help immediately!
Why Do Termites Fly?
Most people think of termites as insects that burrow in the wood of their basements and structural elements of their homes. While they do these things, they also use their wings when they have a distinct purpose to fulfill. If you see flying termites swarming in your home, it’s not a random act of nature, but these swarmers are on a mission.
Not all termites have wings, and the only ones who have them are the ones who will be the future kings and queens of a new colony. When you see them take to the friendly sky, it’s mating season, and they’re hot on the trail of a partner. These flying termites have one goal in mind: to reproduce, which will cause more destruction to your home.
Mating Season And Flying Termites
Each year, mating season lures the termites out of hiding and into the open, where you might have an unexpected encounter. Termites swarm during specific times of the year, often in the spring or early summer. The weather conditions must be suitable for them to swarm, as they’re pretty particular about temperatures and humidity.
During mating season, the winged flying termites leave their nest to find a new mate. They want to start colonies independently, so their nuptial flight is like a young adult looking for someone to settle down with and build a life.
Flying Termite Reproduction Cycle
The queen plays the most significant role in building the new colony, as she’s the primary egg layer. Once she’s matured, she can lay thousands of eggs each day, which spells big trouble for the home she’s invaded. Since there are different species of termites, their laying abilities differ, but the average queen can produce anywhere from 10,000 – 30,000 eggs in the peak period.
Not only can she lay thousands of eggs daily, but she will also live for around 15-25 years. Considering the amount of eggs and the years she lives, it equals one massive number of offspring. The prolonged reproductive period of this insect makes it easy to understand why a termite colony is so large and usually established for years before it is found.
In fact, most people don’t realize they have a termite crisis unless they try to sell their homes or notice damage caused by these savage insects.
Egg Development
Once the queen lays her eggs, they undergo an incubation period. An egg matures in 2-4 weeks. The hatching time frame relies on the location’s temperature and humidity, as environmental conditions weigh heavily on their development.
After hatching, they emerge as larvae, beginning their gradual growth. The young termite goes through several stages, bringing them closer to adult maturity. This process, known as molting, can take several weeks or even up to a year, which can be extended if the weather isn’t favorable.
The Goal of Colony Expansion
When the termites hatch, they develop and take on different roles or castes within the colony. They can be workers, soldiers, or reproductive alates, which are winged termites. The workers have the most labor-intensive jobs within the colony as they are responsible for foraging food and building the structure they live within.
True to their name, the soldiers defend the colony from all threats. They face many predators in the wild, including birds, bats, armadillos, chickens, beetles, reptiles, and amphibians. Even in your home, they must defend their nests against spiders, carpenter ants, and the potential threat of mold.
The flying termite swarmers will set off on their nuptial flight in the spring and summer months and, once they find their mate, start a new colony.
Colony Sizes
Once the colony matures, it’s common to house hundreds of millions of termites. The longer the colony goes unnoticed, the larger it will grow. The age of the nest dictates the size, and if you find a massive colony in your home, it only shows how long it’s been there without you noticing.
Some termite species are prone to building satellite colonies or extensions of the main nest. When the main colony becomes too large, the colonies branch off to increase their numbers and spread.
The weather plays a crucial role in termite reproduction and development. Certain regions of the country, particularly those with warm and humid climates, are more prone to termite problems. While New Jersey does have a significant termite issue, it’s not as severe as the problem in Florida, where the warm weather and high humidity rates create a year-round challenge.
In New Jersey, peak seasons are during spring and summer, but it doesn’t mean a colony can’t thrive inside your home during the winter. Another factor that dictates how significant and fast the colony will grow is food sources. If they find abundant food sources, such as a vast amount of untreated wood, it can contribute to faster growth within the nest. For a termite to thrive, they need access to cellulose-rich materials for nourishment.
The Damage Flying Termites Can Do to Your Home
Termites, despite their small size, are stealthy destroyers. They can silently chew through wooden beams, posing a threat to the very foundation of your home. The damage they cause, often amounting to thousands of dollars, can go unnoticed until it’s too late.
Structural Damage
Termites, with their unique diet of cellulose in wood, can chew through floors, walls, and even the beams of your ceilings. This continuous chewing weakens the structural integrity of your home, posing a potential safety hazard.
Costly Repairs
Termites have been a problem in this state since 1917. Many damaged homes go unfixed because people can’t always afford to handle the issue. In some instances, termite damage is old, as the colony has moved on or died out, but the problem continues to rage in other cases.
There are always stories of decks or porches collapsing in the summer months because of such damage. What about those folks who have an active infestation but have no clue they have an issue?
Invisible Destruction
Termites work from the inside out, so they begin chewing your wood from the inside, which is one of the reasons why it makes it so hard to find out you have a problem. However, it’s not just the wooden elements in your home that are often destroyed, as they will consume books and furniture as they, too, have wood or cellulose in them.
How to Spot a Flying Termite Infestation
Detecting a problem early is crucial in preventing severe damage in your home. Here are the most common signs that you have a termite problem that must be addressed.
You See Mud Tubes – Mud tubes are like a subway system for termites to travel back and forth safely. These tubes protect them from their predators and daylight. Remember, termites can’t stand any light, so they need to travel safely in darkness. The subterranean termite is the species that uses these tubes to move.
Discarded Wings Are Lying Around – Another significant sign you have a problem is seeing discarded wings in piles around the home. You’ll usually find these near light sources like windows and doors as the flying termite has been in a nuptial flight and has entered your home to create a new colony. Any discarded pairs of wings should be a cause for alarm, mainly when found in larger quantities.
Damaged Wooden Structures – If you’re down in the basement or crawl space for any reason, look at the wood and see if you notice any chewing. It’s best to take inventory of any wooden structures when you can.
Another thing you can do is tap on wood to see if it sounds solid or has a hollowed-out sound. A beam with excessive chewing from the inside will have a ring to it because it’s hollow. Remember, just because the surface looks okay doesn’t mean that you don’t have a problem.
There are Piles of Frass – Frass is a gross substance that termites leave behind after they defecate. It’s often mistaken for sawdust as it’s little wooden-like pellets. It’s common to find these piles of excrement near the location of the infestation. So, should you come upon what looks like piles of sawdust, it’s essential to investigate.
Seeing Swarmers Inside – Swarmers have already begun their flights here in New Jersey, but when you see these termites flying around your home, it’s an ominous sign of an infestation.
Your Paint’s Bubbling – Another common sign often overlooked is bubbles in the paint. Paint will often peel or bubble when there’s moisture behind it, but it’s not always water-causing this problem. It can also be a sign that the termites are eating the walls behind the paint, causing this to occur. This severity of the issue should raise concerns and prompt immediate action.
Addressing a Problem in Your Home
If you discover flying termites or believe there might be a problem, the worst thing you can do is panic. Without a professional evaluating the situation, you won’t know anything about the swarm or how much damage is done. Additionally, please don’t feel this is a task you can save money on, and try the DIY method, as it can cost you dearly.
When it comes to termites, you’re not dealing with your average household pest. These are massive colonies of destructive insects that require the expertise of a trained professional. Your first step should be to call a technician who can accurately evaluate the situation. They will identify the type of termite, assess the extent of the damage, and look for potential structural issues.
The pest control company will confirm the infestation and ensure it’s not carpenter ants, which are often confused with termites. Then, they will devise a treatment plan that might include baits, liquids, and other methods to eradicate the problem. Lastly, once the swarm is gone, you must repair all the damage left behind. If structural integrity is in question, these repairs are of the essence.
Preventing Future Issues From Flying Termites
Lastly, you want to prevent future infestations, so you must take the appropriate steps to ensure they don’t return. Simple things like changing out mulch for rocks in the flower beds, reducing moisture around your home, and ensuring any wood piles are kept a reasonable distance from the house can help avoid an issue.
The most important thing is to conduct random inspections or have a trained professional do them for you. With a little effort, you can keep termites at bay and ensure your bank account doesn’t take a hit from Mother Nature.