Key Takeaways
- Yes, some termites can fly. Only the winged reproductives, called alates, take flight.
- Flying termites swarm to start new colonies, usually in humid, still conditions and often at dusk.
- Alates shed their wings after landing, and discarded wings are a clue to nearby activity.
- The swarm itself is not dangerous to people. The colony it starts can be.
- A swarm inside your home is a good reason to book a termite inspection.
What Are Flying Termites?
Flying termites are winged reproductive insects with four wings of the same length. People often mistake them for flying ants, but there are clear differences.
- Termites have a thick, straight body, while ants have a narrow, pinched waist.
- Flying termites have four wings of equal length, while flying ants have a larger front pair.
- Termite antennae are straight, while ant antennae are elbowed.
Flying termites do not live long, and they are not dangerous and do no harm to humans. To establish new colonies, they swarm out from the nest. Our guide to termites vs ants explains how to tell them apart.
Can Termites Fly?
Yes, they can, but not all of them. Termites do not fall into the category of flying insects like wasps and mosquitoes. Some of them can fly, but only for a short period of time before losing their wings.
Termite colonies are split into groups known as castes, and each caste has a particular role in the colony. The three main castes are alates, workers and soldiers.
- Alates are the winged reproductives, and they are the only caste that can fly.
- Workers gather food and build and repair the nest.
- Soldiers defend the colony.
The alates are the future queens and kings of next season’s termite colonies. They are the only termites that are sexually developed. The habit of leaving the nest together is known as swarming.
What Is the Mission of Flying Termites?
Flying termites mark the start of new termite colonies. Swarms of sexually mature termites leave their nest, often due to a lack of food and overcrowding. Both female and male alates take flight and typically mate in the air before coming back down to the ground.
The fertilised female then has the job of finding a comfortable spot to start a new colony as queen. After landing, the pair shed their wings, and if they survive they become the king and queen of the new colony.
When Do Termites Fly?
Flying termites are most often seen in spring and summer, and during periods of humidity. Colonising flights happen in high humidity and still air, and the termites usually travel up to about 1 km. They are drawn to brightly lit areas, which is why they gather around lights and windows.
| Condition | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Spring and summer | The warm season triggers most swarms |
| High humidity | Swarms often follow evening rain |
| Still air | Colonising flights happen in still air |
| Dusk | Queensland Government research notes alates normally swarm at dusk |
Flying Termites vs Flying Ants
Both appear in swarms in warm, humid weather, which is why they are so often confused. The right identification matters, because only one of them threatens your timber.
| Feature | Flying termite | Flying ant |
|---|---|---|
| Waist | Thick and straight | Narrow and pinched |
| Wings | Four wings of equal length | Front pair larger than the back pair |
| Antennae | Straight | Elbowed |
| Threat to timber | Yes, once a colony is established | No |
Signs a Swarm Came From Your Home
A swarm outdoors is common in the warm season. A swarm indoors is more worrying, because the colony may be inside the building.
- Winged termites emerging from walls, skirting or window frames.
- Piles of discarded wings inside the house.
- Mud tubes on foundations, walls or piers.
- Timber that sounds hollow when tapped.
Life of a King and Queen Termite
After the initial mating, the king continues to mate with the queen. A queen can live for around 10 years, and for up to 20 years in some species. In the early stages of a colony, a queen lays only a small number of eggs, and numbers grow as the colony matures.
Control Pest Management is equipped to deal with any and all termites.
What to Do If You See Flying Termites
Seeing a swarm is a warning, not an emergency. It tells you a colony is already nearby, so act quickly.
- Look for discarded wings on window sills, floors and near light fittings.
- Take a photo of the insects and wings, which helps a technician identify the species.
- Vacuum up the wings and insects, then keep the area clear for the inspection.
- Book a licensed termite inspection as soon as possible.
How to Reduce the Risk of Termites
Termites need water to survive, so keeping your home dry is the best long-term defence. Keep these points in mind.
- Fix leaking taps, pipes and air conditioning drains.
- Make sure water inside and outside the home drains away and does not pool.
- Keep gutters free of debris, because wet and dirty gutters are an ideal place for termites.
- Keep timber and mulch from touching the ground against the house.
Contact Control Pest Management while you are building so we can plan to keep termites away from your home.
Talk to a Licensed Termite Technician
Our technicians are licensed, fully insured and police checked. Our 376 Google reviews are rated Excellent. We service the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan. Request a free quote or call 1300 357 246.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can termites fly?
Yes, but only some of them. Termite colonies are split into three castes: alates, workers and soldiers, and only the alates can fly. These termites are the future kings and queens of next season’s colonies, and they fly for a short time before losing their wings.
When do termites fly?
Flying termites are most often seen in spring and summer, during humid periods and usually after rain in the evening. They are drawn to brightly lit areas, which is why they gather around lights and windows. Queensland Government research notes that alates normally swarm at dusk.
Why do flying termites suddenly appear?
Flying termites leave the nest to start new colonies, often because of overcrowding or a lack of food. Males and females take flight, mate in the air and return to the ground, where the fertilised female looks for a comfortable spot to become queen. A swarm inside your home is a good reason to book an inspection.
Are flying termites dangerous?
Flying termites do not live long and they are not dangerous to humans. The real concern is what they start. Once a pair settles, they become the king and queen of a new colony, and as that colony is established the damage it causes can be devastating.
What happens to flying termites after they land?
After landing, the pair shed their wings and look for a comfortable spot to start a colony. If they survive, they become the king and queen of the new colony. Discarded wings are a useful clue that a swarm has landed nearby, so look around windows and doorways.
Do flying termites mean I have an infestation?
Not always. Swarms can come from a colony elsewhere, and colonising flights usually travel up to about 1 km. A swarm inside your home, or piles of discarded wings indoors, is a stronger warning. A licensed inspection will confirm whether termites are active in the building.