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Subterranean Termites - Warning Signs
Subterranean Termites Swarmers
Soft-bodied insects with straight antennas, broad waists approximately ¼inch in length and two pair of wings of equal length. In Florida, the major swarm normally occurs in early spring, between February through May. Swarming can occur mid-morning through late afternoon, most often right after a rain shower and warm sunny conditions are present. The environmental conditions (Humidity) will allow the Swarmers to take flight, mate and find their way back to a soil and/or moisture environment to start colonization. Swarming Termites are normally attracted to light and after flight will shed their wing. Swarmer bodies with and without wings are found near windows, bathrooms, vents, light fixtures and doors Subterranean Termites. Swarmers can only survive in the open environment less than 24 hours depending on the humidity levels. Swarmers do not eat wood/cellulose material and their sole purpose is to successfully mate and colonize at a suitable protective environment.
Exit holes
Swarming termites will normally swarm from an exist hole that was created by the Subterranean Termite (worker), the only caste member that eats and damages the wood. The exit holes are slightly larger than a small nail hole and can be located anywhere in the structure where the current infestation feeding site is. This exit hole is utilized by the worker termite on a daily basis to monitor the environmental conditions at that location and determines if the conditions are right for the Swarmers to take flight. This hole is patched up with a material on daily basis till the Swarmers take flight. The exit holes can be located in drywall, baseboards, ceilings, blistered paint, wooden floors etc.
Mud Tunnels/Tubes
Foraging Subterranean Termite workers construct mud tunnels, size of a drinking straw that are environmentally controlled and as a protective highway from one location to the next.
