Do Termites Lose Their Wings

Like ants once the termites have mated they will start to shed their wings and homeowners may find wingless swarmers or wings lying around in window seals. When termites land their wings are no longer necessary.


Drywood Termites Covenant Pest Control

Termites with wings are referred to as swarmers by most people.

Do termites lose their wings. Male termites on the other hand will look for female termites by means of polishing in on the feminine pheromones. Once flying termites lose their wings they will try to find new areas in your home to create nests. Often times these wood destroying insects will discard their wings by curving their backs.

But to your question termites only have wings at one point in their life cycle. These insects can be removed from the home by vacuuming them up and placing the vacuum bag in an outdoor trash can. Once the female and male termites pair up they will quickly search out a hidden dark and secluded spot to begin the termite life cycle anew.

Termites are weak fliers. Why do termites lose their wings. Once the termites land the wings are simply no longer needed.

Scientifically flying termites are referred to as alates. Flying termites are normal termites that are at their winged stage. Another common sign of termites is the discarded wings.

The vast majority of termites are workers and soldiers who spend their lives merrily munching and fiercely fighting. It s important to note that when swarmers do find the perfect place to settle down they will lose their wings. So yes termites do fly.

So if you start noticing these swarming termites in or around your home or if you are seeing discarded wings you should be concerned. And you can see not all termites get to have wings. Flying termites lose their wings shortly after finding a mate.

These insects then become the king or queen termites of their newly established colonies. After fertilization winged termites land and shed their wings going on to form new colonies. They drop their wings once the land and begin looking for a mate.

Spraying around your house is enough but you also need to make sure you don t have things that will cause you to get termites like soil covering your slab or wood going from your home into the ground. Next the males will search out a female by honing in on the female pheromones. The life cycle of the termite begins with a mating flight wherein swarming winged reproductive males and females leave established colonies and procreate.

Since the swarmers are attracted to light you will most likely find wings near light fixtures and on windowsills. You may not actually see the swarm but if you have found termite wings in your home termites may have been present. Male and female drywood termites pair up then crawl to a suitable nesting site where they seal themselves in to mate and start the new colony.

Often times the termites will discard them by arching their backs and the wings will break off. Though they are small they have the potential to cause just as much damage as a fallen tree does. So why do termites lose their wings.


Everything You Need To Know About Termites Sghomeneeds Articles


When Do Termite Swarmers Lose Their Wings


Mice Insects That Shed Their Wings


Flying Termites Termites With Wings


Termite Biology Eastern Subterranean Termites And Formosan Termites Mississippi State University Extension Service