Picture this: It’s a warm spring evening, and you’ve just settled down with your laptop to stream your favorite show. Suddenly, you notice a cloud of small, winged insects hovering near your living room window.
“Oh, it’s just some harmless bugs drawn to the light,” you think, brushing it off. But then, you see more of them—a lot more—emerging from a tiny crack in your baseboard. Streaming turns to screaming when you realize you’ve just stumbled upon a termite swarm, and your home might be its next victim.
Termite swarms are one of the most obvious signs that termites are nearby, and ignoring them could lead to a nightmare scenario for your home. But what exactly are termite swarms, and why do they happen?
What Are Termite Swarms?
A termite swarm occurs when winged reproductive termites leave their colony in search of a new place to start another.
Swarms are most common during warm, humid days in spring, typically in March here in New England. These little critters are on a mission: find a mate, shed their wings and establish a new colony. Unfortunately, that “new colony” could be inside the walls of your home.
What Does a Swarm Mean for Your Home?
If you spot a swarm indoors, it’s a flashing neon sign that a termite colony is already present in or around your house and has been for at least three years (here are more signs of a termite problem). Outdoor swarms near your home could indicate that termites are nearby, scoping out their next meal—your home’s frame, floors or foundation.
Ignoring a swarm can have costly consequences. Termites might be small, but they’re relentless. Given time, a mature colony can cause significant structural damage, gnawing through beams, floorboards and even load-bearing walls.
How Fast Can Termites Cause Damage?
Here’s a sobering thought: a single termite colony can chew through about a pound of wood in just 24 hours. While that might not sound like much, over weeks, months and years, the destruction can add up to tens of thousands of dollars in repair costs. Delayed treatment only gives these pests more time to feast and multiply.
What Should You Do If You Spot a Swarm?
- Don’t panic, but act quickly: Swarms are short-lived, usually lasting only 30–40 minutes. But their presence is a red flag.
- Capture evidence: Snap a photo or collect a few specimens in a sealed bag if you can. This will help our pest control professionals identify the type of termite.
- Call the experts: DIY solutions might seem tempting, but they’re rarely effective against these tiny terrors. Our professionals will inspect your property, assess the infestation and any problem areas, and recommend the best treatment plan.
- Prevent future problems: Seal cracks in your home’s foundation, fix leaks and eliminate any wood-to-soil contact to make your home less inviting to termites. For extra protection, we offer the Sentricon®Colony Elimination System, a termite baiting program with such low toxicity, we are able to offer it as a preventive measure.
Protect Your Investment
Your home is likely your biggest investment, so don’t let termites turn it into a house of horrors. If you’ve spotted a swarm or suspect a termite problem, give us a call or request a free quote online.