Termites can be a big problem for North Carolina homes, and swarms in our area are only expected to get worse. If you don't notice a termite colony right away, you definitely will when flying termites begin coming through cracks in your walls and floorboards!

But how do you know when you have a termite swarm on your hands?

Here's everything you need to know about termite swarms.

How Do Termite Swarms Start?

When a termite colony reaches capacity, some of the termites emerge from the ground to start building new colonies.

As the weather warms up and the first rains of the season hit, a swarm of subterranean flying termites called alates reach maturity and start to procreate. Once termites mate, they create another colony that could potentially house millions of new termites. Damp soil and humid weather indicate the prime time for termite swarms.

Occasionally, termites with an existing colony within your home or near your foundation can expand to form another colony within your home. While the flying termites themselves won't damage your home, they will produce thousands of new worker termites that can cause devastating structural damage.

Why Do Termite Swarms Start?

When termites build a colony, the queen can lay thousands of eggs a year. As the colony grows, the colony can reach capacity and will need to expand. The queen of a mature colony will begin to produce flying termites, or alates, to create new nests.

Once a colony has reached maturity, it can produce a new swarm every year. New swarms lead to new colonies, which means even more worker termites eating your wood paneling, floor joists, carpet, and more.

Any flying termites in your home are often a clear sign of termite infestation because that means there is an overrun termite colony nearby.

When Do Termite Swarms Start?

Approximately three to five years after a colony is developed, termites can begin to swarm. They usually wait until the weather is humid, when it's easiest for them to fly and dig through loose soil. When swarming starts, all the colonies in the area are likely to start swarming at the same time.

Mature colonies often swarm once a year. If you are noticing flying termites in your home now, you can expect them to come back around the same time next year, too.

In North Carolina, there are three types of subterranean termites that can swarm as early as late March and as late as May. Warm, overcast days after it rains are the best time for termites to swarm. Termites often choose to swarm on days when winds are slow, too.

How to Handle a Termite Swarm

If you're noticing flying termites around your windows or near your lights, you may have an infestation.

Don't panic! We're here to help.

At Thomas Pest Control, we can inspect your home at the first sign of termites. Our termite control experts can help you find an affordable, effective solution to remove termite colonies. We can also monitor your home to help eliminate your termite problem for good.

If you think you have an infestation, don't delay. Call us for a consultation today!