Termite swarmers

Natural Habitat

Subterranean termites live in underground nests and create mud tubes to reach wood sources; during swarming events, they are often found near windows, light fixtures, and indoor entry points.

Diet & Feeding

Cellulose material, including wood, paper, cardboard, and cotton, which they digest with the help of symbiotic microorganisms in their gut.

Behavior Patterns

These are the reproductive 'alates' of the colony. They emerge in large numbers (swarms) usually in the spring after a rain to mate and start new colonies. They are weak fliers and shed their wings shortly after landing.

Risks & Benefits

They pose a high risk of significant structural damage to homes and buildings. However, in the natural ecosystem, they are beneficial decomposers that break down dead wood and return nutrients to the soil.

Identified on: 5/13/2026