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When Do Termites Swarm In Honolulu?
7/26/13
Have you seen termites swarming around your Honolulu property? If so, you’re not alone and witnessing a swarm may be the first clue a homeowner has that termites are present on their property. A termite swarm can happen anytime in Hawaii. These insects are especially known for swarming in May and early June, but that’s not necessarily always the case, as year round warm weather means that smaller swarms can happen all year long.
In a swarm, the reproductive termites (also called winged termites or alates) fly up out of their underground colony and mingle with other winged termites, looking for a mate. They are usually attracted to areas of light, so if the swarm happens at night, you may see it under a porch light or a street light. These termites are all the future queens and kings of colonies and when they find a mate, their wings drop off and they all fall to the ground. That’s when the mating and new colony building begins, as they scurry off in couples into the ground. This process typically takes a half hour and the swarm itself can happen outdoors, if the colony is located outside, or even indoors, if the colony is in a structure or underneath a structure.
What should you do if you see a termite swarm? First, make sure you’re seeing termites, not flying ants. You can recognize termite alates by their coloring (they are usually light brown with darker heads), their body shape (they have broad waists, unlike ant’s pinched waists) and their antennae (they have straight antennae, unlike ant’s elbowed antennae). They also have two sets of wings, with both sets being the same length (which differs from ants that have larger forewings than hind wings). Once you’ve determined what insect you have or if you’re just not sure, you’ll want to request a termite inspection from a professional pest control company. They can help you identify where the swarm came from, which is the location of the termite colony. They can also help you identify any areas of your structure that may already be infested with these insects. It’s necessary to have your property inspected for termites because they are known to eat the wooden timbers of your structure, which can cause you thousands of dollars to repair. Catching the problem before it gets out of hand is ideal, so a termite inspection is an absolute must if you witness a termite swarm on your property.
If you are looking for a termite inspection in Honolulu and Oahu, contact the professionals at Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions. Offering termite inspections for both homes and businesses, our trained Honolulu pest control pros will let you know if you have a termite problem; if you don’t have a problem, they’ll let you know that too! Contact Sandwich Isle today for more information on inspections and termite control solutions in Hawaii.