Every spring, many St. Petersburg homeowners see a cloud of winged insects near a window or porch light. Most of the time, those insects are termite swarmers. Swarmers are the winged adults that leave a mature colony to mate and start new ones. A swarm doesn’t cause damage by itself, but it is a clear sign that a colony is living close by, and sometimes inside the home.
In the Tampa Bay area, two main groups swarm. Subterranean termites usually swarm during the day in spring, often after a warm rain. Drywood termites tend to swarm in the evening and are drawn to lights. Formosan subterranean termites, a species found in parts of Florida, often swarm at dusk in late spring.
A swarm that happens outdoors, around a tree stump or woodpile, may not involve the home at all. A swarm inside the home is a different story. Indoor swarmers usually mean the colony is in the walls, the attic, or the soil under the slab.
Homeowners can look for a few simple clues after a swarm:
- Piles of shed wings on windowsills, floors, or in spider webs
- Mud tubes on the slab, foundation or garage walls
- Small piles of pellet-like droppings below wood trim
- Wood that sounds hollow when tapped
Many people confuse termite swarmers with flying ants. Termites have straight antennae, a thick waist, and two pairs of wings of equal length. Flying ants have bent antennae, a pinched waist, and front wings longer than the back ones.
If swarmers show up indoors, it helps to vacuum them up, save a few in a sealed bag, and take photos of any wings or tubes. Sprays won’t reach the colony, so the next step is a professional inspection. The right treatment depends on which termite is involved. Subterranean termites are usually treated in the soil, while drywood termites may need a localized treatment or whole-home fumigation.
Spring swarms are common in St. Petersburg, and acting early can keep a small problem from turning into costly damage.
This post was written by a professional at Magnum Termite & Pest Control. Magnum Termite & Pest Control is a full-service termite and pest control company in Seffner, FL, specializing in termite tent fumigation, termite tenting, drywood termite fumigation, drywood termite treatment, subterranean termite treatment, subterranean termite control, termite treatment, termite control, general pest control, pest control services, termite tent fumigation in Tampa, termite tent fumigation in St. Petersburg, termite tent fumigation in Wesley Chapel, termite tent fumigation in Lakeland, termite tent fumigation in Seffner, subterranean termite treatment in Tampa, subterranean termite treatment in St. Petersburg, subterranean termite treatment in Wesley Chapel, subterranean termite treatment in Lakeland, subterranean termite treatment in Seffner, pest control in Tampa, pest control in St. Petersburg, pest control in Wesley Chapel, pest control in Lakeland, and pest control in Seffner. As one of the leading termite and pest control companies near you, we serve clients throughout Seffner, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Wesley Chapel, Lakeland, and the greater Tampa Bay area. Our experienced team provides expert guidance and reliable solutions, making us a trusted choice for termite and pest control near you, focused on quality, value, and performance.
