We are right in the middle of termite swarmer season. What do you need to know?

Termite Swarmers: Eastern and Formosan Subterranean Termites

Termites are insects known for their complex colony structures. They play a vital role in ecosystems by decomposing wood and plant material. However, their ability to damage human structures makes them significant pests, particularly subterranean termites such as the Eastern subterranean termite and the Formosan subterranean termite. A critical aspect of their life cycle is the dispersal of winged reproductives, or alates, more commonly known as swarmers, which establish new colonies.

Eastern Subterranean Termites

The Eastern subterranean termite is one of the most widespread termite species in North America, prevalent in the eastern United States and parts of Canada. These termites thrive

in moist, temperate environments, building underground colonies that can house thousands to hundreds of thousands of individuals. The colony consists of workers, which forage and maintain the nest; soldiers, which defend the colony; and reproductives. They are notorious for causing extensive damage to wooden structures, contributing to billions in annual repair costs.

Eastern Subterranean Swarmers-

Eastern subterranean termite alates are winged reproductives, approximately 10–12 mm long, with dark brown to black bodies and two pairs of translucent wings of equal length. Swarming occurs in spring to early summer, typically after rain and in warm conditions. Alates are weak fliers, dispersing short distances before shedding their wings, attempting to pair with a mate and to establish a new colony in moist soil. The good news is that termites have a low success rate of establishing new colonies, due to predation and environmental challenges. Successful breeding pairs become the king and queen of a new colony.

Formosan Subterranean Termites

The Formosan subterranean termite, originally native to East Asia, is an invasive species in the southeastern United States, Hawaii, and parts of California. They are often described as “super termites” due to their massive colony sizes and rapid wood consumption; Formosan termites form colonies that can number in the millions to tens of millions. They build extensive underground tunnels and distinctive carton nests—structures made of chewed wood, saliva, and excrement—allowing them to infest above-ground areas, like building interiors, leading to rapid structural damage.

Formosan Swarmers-

Formosan alates are slightly larger than Eastern Swarmer, about 12–15 mm, with yellowish-brown bodies and smoky wings. They swarm at dusk or night in late spring to early summer, preferring warm, humid conditions. Their strong attraction to artificial lights results in large, noticeable swarms around buildings or streetlights. Like the Eastern Swarmers, after swarming, alates shed their wings, pair, and attempt to establish new colonies. The larger colony sizes and high reproductive rate of Formosan termites make their alates more effective than Eastern termites at spreading infestations. As a result, in areas around the Gulf Coast, Formosan termites have become the predominate species, outperforming and driving away the Eastern termites.

Common Misconceptions About Swarmers

A common claim by some termite prevention companies is that swarmers “do not eat” and, thus, pose no threat. While alates lack the mouthparts to chew wood or cellulose, the claim that they do not eat is misleading. Worker termites, which consume wood, feed the alates (and other nestmates) through trophallaxis (food sharing). The presence of swarmers, especially in large numbers or with discarded wings inside a home, is cause for alarm. It may indicate an active colony within the structure, potentially hidden in walls or other concealed areas, leading to significant damage.

Implications of Formosan Carton Nests

Formosan termites’ ability to construct carton nests enhances their destructive potential. These nests, built above ground, inside walls, or attics, allow colonies to persist without constant soil contact, enabling prolonged infestations and accelerated damage. This

adaptation makes Formosan termites ferocious eaters, as they can remain active in structures longer without returning to ground than Eastern subterranean termites.

Termite Prevention and Legal Considerations

Termiticides used for prevention must be proven 100% effective for at least five years to gain EPA registration, ensuring robust protection when applied correctly. Every state mandates that termite prevention companies adhere strictly to product label and labeling requirements, which dictate application methods and safety protocols.

Therefore, if you discover an infestation and structural damage despite paying for prevention services, it may indicate a failure in service delivery. In such cases, consulting a termite fraud and damage claim lawyer, such as Cochran Bowers PC, at 205-460-1155 for a free consultation can help assess the extent of damages, verify whether promised services were performed, and explore legal rights or remedies.

Citations:

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Lax, A. R., & Osbrink, W. L. A. (2003). United States Department of Agriculture–Agriculture Research Service research on targeted management of the Formosan subterranean termite Coptotermes formosanus Shiraki (Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae). Pest Management Science, 59(6–7), 788–800.

Potter, M. F. (2011). Termites. In S. A. Hedges (Ed.), Mallis Handbook of Pest Control (10th ed., pp. 293–374). GIE Media.

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Su, N.-Y., & Scheffrahn, R. H. (2000). Termites as pests of buildings. In T. Abe, D. E. Bignell, & M. Higashi (Eds.), Termites: Evolution, Sociality, Symbioses, Ecology (pp. 437–453). Springer.

Nutting, W. L. (1969). Flight and colony foundation in termites. In K. Krishna & F. M. Weesner (Eds.), Biology of Termites (Vol. 1, pp. 233–250). Academic Press.

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Su, N.-Y. (2002). Novel technologies for subterranean termite control. Sociobiology, 40(1), 95–101. https://www.epa.gov/pesticides 

Rust, M. K., & Su, N.-Y. (2012). Managing social insects of urban importance. Annual Review of Entomology, 57, 355–375.