5 Ways Exterminators Get Rid of Flying Termites Based on Their Behavior

Key Takeaways

• Termite exterminators know the swarming patterns of flying termites. This is the basis of targeted treatment plans. We note where swarms are common and we estimate the extent of infestation. We also look for structural damage, and monitor what we find over time.
• Prevention works best to get rid of termites. Seal all possible entry points: cracks and crevices around windows, doors, and foundations to keep termites out.
• Termite control specialists will place and regularly check termite baiting systems throughout your yard to attract and destroy entire colonies.
• Insect growth regulators (IGRs) are a type of pesticide that disrupt termite life cycles and prevent them from reproducing. IGRs work over the long term, and they are best used in combination with other treatments.
• Fix leaks to help keep moisture under control in your home. Monitor wet locations, particularly in basements, crawl spaces, and garages. A good water drainage situation help avoiding moisture build-up. Moisture is a magnet for termites. Regular inspections go a long way to protecting your property.

The presence of flying termites usually indicates the proximity of an established termite colony. They become more visible during the warmer months.

Pest control professionals manage the problem by targeting entry points and using traps and baits. Preventative measures like sealing up cracks and eliminating moisture are an important factor in long-term control.

This short post walks you through proven treatment solutions.

1. Identifying Swarm Patterns for Effective Treatment

Flying termites are a devastating pest, no doubt. But when you know their swarm patterns, you can treat an infestation effectively. The easiest thing to observe is the time of day when swarms are most active. Different termite species swarm at different times.

For example, eastern subterranean termites (one of the most common termite pests) will usually swarm during the day, often right after a warm rain or monsoon. Conversely, drywood termites typically swarm at night. To the eye of a trained termite control expert, this difference is key for species identification. It helps us dictate the timing and application of treatment options such as Altriset (which stops termites from feeding within hours) and bait systems (like Sentricon, which kills the entire colony).

Environmental factors are another significant factor in termite swarming. These pests are acutely susceptible to humidity, temperature, and precipitation. Following a rainy spell, moisture softens the ground, making it easy for termites to start new colonies.

Recognizing these swarming patterns helps identify the moments we need to make rapid response a no-brainer.

One important step to take is developing a reasonable list of places where swarms are regularly observed. Swarmers like to congregate around light fixtures, window panes, doorways and any other openings that allow them access into a dwelling. By documenting these high-activity spots, jurisdictions can focus treatments to the areas of greatest need.

If we see swarms piling up on your outdoor lights or your garage, we’ll do something about it. These gaps may be potential introduction points that need to be sealed shut or proactively treated. This agent-based treatment strategy reduces the likelihood of areas being missed, meaning no part of the infestation goes untreated.

Lastly, size and frequency of the swarms determine how bad the infestation is likely to be. Big swarms, frequent swarms indicate the colony is now considered mature. It doesn’t help that colonies take three to four years to form completely.

These colonies are capable of doing extensive damage over the years as termites eat up to 2–3% of their body weight each day. As much as 95% of homes show at least a few signs of lurking termite swarms. Catching the issue early prevents costly repairs.

2. Sealing Entry Points to Prevent Infestations

Sealing up entry points prevents flying termites from infesting your home.

The first step of a termite inspection of your home starts outdoors. We inspect the cracks, gaps, or crevices around every window, door, and at the base of a foundation. These are used as doorways by termites. Even minor gaps, such as those around utility lines or vent stacks, can give them access. Even a crack of only 1/32″ in your foundations can open a a breach for termites.

These pests can fit through the smallest spaces!

By paying attention to these prone areas, we already begin to protect your home.

After identifying from where an infestation can invade your home, the most effective defense barrier if sealing points off. This is done with something as simple as caulk or expanding foam, close up cracks and gaps around windows, door frames, and other entry points.

Foam is particularly effective for bigger gaps as it expands to fill out uneven openings, forming an airtight seal. An example of this would be to seal any gaps around the space where pipes or cables come through the walls. We make sure to include around the roofline, attic vents, and basement windows: all common blind spots. Later inspections will make sure that we don’t miss any new gap or opening developed over time due to weather (expansion and contraction of material due to heat and cold) and to moving soil caused by flooding or growth.

3. Bait Systems for Targeted Control

Installing termite baiting systems is a more targeted method of eliminating colonies: its aim is to attack termites directly at the source… i.e., where they feed. Termite bait stations are placed in the ground alongside the foundations; the baiting stations lure termites in and the slow-acting chemical slowly takes out the whole colony.

Termites spread the bait by passing it along to others, causing the colony to destroy itself from the inside out. One of these systems, designed to eliminate eastern subterranean termites, acts by perturbing their molting cycle.

The process is slow: it can take a few months before seeing a full return on investment. However, it has to be monitoed very few months to verify that termites are actively feeding on the bait. If not carefully monitored, the bait itself starts losing efficacy over time.

Flying termites come out typically to reproduce and establish new colonies. Detecting their activity early helps stopping a colony from blossoming into a much more massive issue: a new colony can host from 60,000 to over 1 million workers.

Each worker chews through wood equivalent to 2 to 3% of their body weight per day. If left alone, they will consume enough wood to fill a 1-ft by 1-ft square in about half a year.

Here’s a comparison of some well-known termite baiting systems:

Involving termite exterminators from the start helps to ensure that baiting systems are located, checked, and serviced appropriately. Our specialists will correctly identify high-risk areas where termites are more prone to eat.

4. Insect Growth Regulators: a Long-Term Solution

Insect growth regulators (IGRs for short) break the termite life cycle and stop reproduction. IGRs target juvenile termites’ ability to molt – a process essential for their growth and development. Thematins or chitin inhibitors, such as Noviflumuron and Diflubenzuron, disrupt the production of chitin—the major component of the insect exoskeleton.

With insufficient molting, immature workers never develop. The result: the strength of the colony is slowly sapped. This method is particularly effective since the workers make up more than 80% of subterranean termite colonies.

IGRs are only used in conjunction with other treatments. They help establish a complete Integrated Pest Management program. Termite control specialists now pair IGRs with bait systems as a standard procedure today. This double-tap system has been pioneered over the last 20 years, and it has proven to be a more ecological alternative to the more toxic and invasive liquid trenching.

As mentioned earlier, bait stations are installed around a home or a business building in key locations. Over time, foraging worker termites come across and feed on the bait. Termite baits work, though it takes them a year or so to eliminate an entire colony. This is a gradual process which actually makes IGRs more effective in reducing termite populations.

Hexaflumuron was the first active ingredient ever registered as a reduced-risk pesticide. This milestone marked an important step towards expanding safe, sustainable, and environmentally-friendly pest management solutions.

IGR systems are not DIY. Professional termite control exterminators like Rigo Pest know the right IGR products to use and the correct way to apply them. Each regulator has different properties: we need to choose one that is most appropriate for your specific situation to create the most effective application. For example, Noviflumuron targets a mechanism that disrupts termite growth and activity, and Diflubenzuron acts directly by inhibiting development.

5. Dehumidify to Deter Breeding

Dehumidifiers are an effective tool to avoid pest breeding. Moisture attracts flying termites as it is necessary for their reproduction and survival. Doing routine inspections of your plumbing and roof helps you signal risk points.

Just a few drips a day from a leaky pipe or a loose shingle produces a moist breeding ground. Same issue with a slow drip beneath a kitchen sink or a drafty bathroom vent going into your attic. Address these problems regularly to keep your home dry and less attractive.

Among the areas to keep under monitoring: your basement, a crawl space, the attic, and your bathrooms. Basements and crawl spaces are typical culprits: when they are not ventilated enough, they trap moisture. Bathrooms collect plenty of water through daily routines. Other places to monitor: laundry rooms and garages. Any place where humidity collects. Maintain these environments dry by using a dehumidifier or enhancing air circulation.

Prevent any standing moisture by installing appropriate drainage systems around your property. Inadequate drainage leaves water pooling right next to your foundation, a perfect breeding ground for termites. You can grade the soil around your foundation so it slopes away from the house. It is a good preventative step. If water pools around your crawl space after a monsoon, you probably need to regrade around your home foundation.

A professional inspection will help locate hard-to-see damp areas you may not even think to check, like spaces inside walls or beneath floors. A termite inspection will also identify if vegetation around your home is causing excessive moisture retention. Keep vegetation well-trimmed during peak termite season.

Remember that termites need a source of moisture and a source of cellulose. Without a water source and a food source, they are less likely to invade your property.

Frequently Asked Questions

What attracts flying termites to my home?

Flying termites are attracted to light and dampness. Leaky plumbing, moist timber, and inadequately ventilated locations are excellent conditions for them to breed.

How can I identify a flying termite infestation?

Watch for shed wings on window sills, swarmers near light fixtures, and mud tubes on walls. These are clear indicators of an active infestation.

How do I prevent flying termites from entering my home?

Patch all cracks, crevices, and access points on your house’s basis, window frames, and front door. Repair leaks and lower humidity levels to combat moisture accumulation on your home.

Are baiting systems effective for flying termites?

Baiting systems kill termites at their colony. They bring the slow-acting poison back with them, killing off the infestation gradually.

What are insect growth regulators (IGRs), and how do they help?

IGRs interfere with the growth process of termites, keeping them from maturing or being able to reproduce. This gives them long-term control of termite populations.

How does moisture affect flying termites?

Flying termites are most commonly found in moist conditions. Keeping humidity in check and repairing water leaks will prevent them from nesting in your home.

Is professional pest control necessary for flying termites?

This is why we highly recommend getting professional help. Professionals are equipped to properly gauge the infestation, utilize specialized treatments, and ensure their complete eradication.