| Every year without doubt we in the pest control industry receive many calls from concerned customers asking what the hell are these flying insects that are dropping their wings everywhere in and around my house. These flying insects are known as Alates, and they are the reproductives of a termite colony. In the warmer and more humid months, particularly after a bit of rain you may notice a swarm of these Alates emerging from a tree stump, tree trunk, mulch or just coming out of the ground. |  |
This generally happens around the months of November - December and March - April. You will find discarded wings on patios, stuck in cobwebs around your house, on your car and even inside your homes occasionally. What is this strange phenomenon known as ? It's called a colonizing flight, and it's basically many thousands of winged termites leaving the nest to start new colonies elsewhere.
Many thousands of alates will leave the colony on this treacherous journey but only a small handful will actually survive long enough to start a successful colony, and even if they do start a colony it will generally take up to five years before they will pose a significant threat to your property.
The main issue with finding all these winged termites or discarded wings around your property is that it will more than likely indicate that a well established termite colony is very close to your home as the colonizing flight generally originates very close to the main nest.
Many thousands of alates will leave the colony on this treacherous journey but only a small handful will actually survive long enough to start a successful colony, and even if they do start a colony it will generally take up to five years before they will pose a significant threat to your property.
The main issue with finding all these winged termites or discarded wings around your property is that it will more than likely indicate that a well established termite colony is very close to your home as the colonizing flight generally originates very close to the main nest.
| For this reason, it is highly recommended to have a Termite inspection done to your house and property to ascertain if there could potentially be termite issues in your house or termite nests on your yard somewhere. A termite inspection will help you find any possible termite and fungal decay issues in your home or on your property, and also provide many recommendations to help you lower the risk of your home to termite attack. More info on Timber Pest Inspections |  |
 | Ants also leave the nest to start new colonies in a similar manner, but you can tell if you have a flying termite issue or flying ant issue by their appearance. Termites will have wings of similar or equal shape and size, and their antennae is bead like while ants have wings that are unequal and come in different shapes and sizes and their antennae is elbowed. More info on Ants More info on Termites |
If you have any concerns around your home or property and want to ask any questions or wish to organise a termite inspection then please fell free to contact us at Pest Off Solutions.