When it comes to tell-tale signs of termites in your home, discovering discarded termite wings is near the top of the list. This is evidence that your house or commercial building has been colonised by termites.
In this blog, we will discuss what the appearance of alates in your home signifies and how to react.
Why Swarming Alates Appear in or Around Your Home
If you have found discarded termite wings in your home, you are likely wondering what this means for your property. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t positive.
Finding detached wings is a big sign that you likely have a mature colony living in or near your property. This is because termite colonies only produce alates (winged reproductive termites) when the colony is mature. Furthermore, the fact that the alate has shed its wings means that it has mated and is ready to start a new colony.
Therefore, this is a sign that you need to take action sooner rather than later. The termites may already be damaging your property, and before long, a new colony may be adding to structural damage.
Don’t Panic: Your First Steps to Prevent a New Colony
If you suspect that you have a termite infestation, it is important to act immediately.
The first port of call is to call in a professional. This is vital as trying to do DIY treatments yourself risks driving termites deeper inside your home, making them harder to find. By scheduling a professional pest control appointment as soon as possible, you will be able to prevent further damage.
It is important that you do not disturb the area where the termite wings were found. Avoid sealing up the entry points around the wings. Additionally, it is advisable to turn off any unneeded lights within the home where possible, as this may attract flying termites, especially at night. Additionally, it is important to note where you spotted the wings as this will help you identify entry/exit points for the swarmers.
With professional support, you will be able to understand the scope of the problem. They will then provide tailored advice on the best way to tackle the infestation.
How to Collect a Sample for Professional Identification
In order to treat any infestations effectively, it is important to collect samples of the termites to be identified. This will impact subsequent treatment.
To collect termite samples, you will need:
- A small leak-proof container.
- Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.
- Paper and an alcohol resistant ink pen for labelling.
To collect the sample, you will need to:
- Locate Some Termites: Look for live specimens. You may find them near mud tubes or where you have seen alate wings.
- Collect Several Specimens: Collect as many as possible. It is especially helpful to capture alates or soldiers, as these will help with accurate species identification.
- Preserve Your Sample: Place the samples in the container with the 70% isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitizer. This will kill and preserve the insects for analysis purposes.
- Seal the container.
- Label the container or write down the following details:
- Your name.
- Contact details.
- Date.
- Location.
- Where the termites were found (e.g. near a door frame, inside a specific wall, outside foundation, etc.).
- Any other relevant observations, such as the presence of discarded wings, mud tunnels, or the type of damage observed.
The Critical Importance of a Follow-Up Termite Inspection
Whether we identify a mature termite nest in your property or not, making sure you follow up with a termite inspection within 6 months is important. This will ensure no new colonies have taken root after the alate sightings.
Do you Have a Termite Infestation?
Control Pest Management provides termite inspections and treatments to residential and commercial clients. Contact us today by emailing info@controlpestmanagement.com.au, filling in the form on our Contact page, or calling 1300 357 246.