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Can termites fly?
Apart from being a notorious insect with a voracious wood-chomping habit, termites have habits that are common to only them. One of which is their ability to fly at certain points in their lives and at particular times of the year. To termites, flying is just a means to an end.
Have you always wanted to know if termites can fly? Right here, we will share all you need to know about the flying habits of termites and why they only fly at certain times of the year. With this, you will have a clear picture of the flying behavior of termites.
Why do termites fly?
There are three castes of termites in a colony, the caste that takes part in swarming is the reproductives. Flying is an integral part of their reproductive process, swarming termites develop two pairs of wings only when swarming seasons are close by.
Unlike other flying insects, the wings of reproductives are weak and can’t be used to fly for long-distances. After mating is done, the wings fall off and the pairs of termites burrow into the ground to start a new colony.
How do you identify flying termites?
Identifying a flying termite is never a daunting task, they have a distinctive size that makes it quite easy for anyone to identify them. Swarmers are about three-eighths of an inch long and are usually blackish to dark brown. Also, their two pairs of wings extend over their body towards their abdomen and they are of equal length.
Swarming only occurs when humidity is high and the environment is favorable enough to support their survival. If environmental conditions don’t align with their swarming time, they will usually wait until everything is perfect. This is why the swarming of termites usually occurs after heavy rainfall.
Why does swarming occur?
Termites are naturally fast reproducers. A mature queen can lay up to a thousand eggs per day. At this rate, the number of termites in a colony increases rapidly, thereby limiting the availability of space. When this happens, the need for a population reduction is imminent.
Are flying termites a danger to my property?
The undeniable fact about termites is that their main objective after swarming is to find a suitable spot with an abundance of wood. Once they find this around your home, they will most likely infest your property and make it their new colony.
