Termites
Do termite swarms mean the house is infested?
A swarm inside a living room, with wings on a windowsill, is a strong sign that Subterranean termite or Drywood termite are using the building. Outdoor evening swarms in spring can come from a neighbor’s yard or a stump. Still walk the foundation for tubes. Ant swarms have elbowed antennae and pinched waists — see the comparison guide.
Do not spray the swarmers as the treatment
Killing alates does not kill the colony. Vacuum the wings for ID, then hire inspection. A hardware-aisle can is not a termite bond.
Species pages
The question is only the field note. Control sequence, legal notes, and identification live on the species article.
Subterranean termite
Reticulitermes spp. (and related soil-dwelling genera)
Subterranean termites live in soil and build mud shelter tubes to reach wood. They are the default…
Drywood termite
Kalotermitidae (Incisitermes and others)
Drywood termites live inside the wood. They do not need soil contact. Pellets (frass) that look like tiny…
Related questions
- How long does a termite swarm last?
- Can termites come through concrete?
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- Do termites eat painted wood?
- What temperature kills termites?