What to do Immediately After Discovering Discarded Termite Wings (Alates)

Key Takeaways

• Discarded termite wings are one of the clearest signs that a mature colony is living in or near your property.
• Colonies only produce alates (winged reproductive termites) once they are mature, and an alate that has shed its wings is ready to start a new colony.
• Do not spray, seal up entry points or disturb the area. Note where you found the wings and call a professional.
• A labelled sample of live termites helps with accurate species identification.
• Book a follow-up termite inspection within 6 months, and then at least once a year.

Why Swarming Alates Appear in or Around Your Home

Discovering discarded termite wings is near the top of the list of tell-tale signs of termites in your home. This is evidence that your house or commercial building has been colonised by termites.

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. That is why you need to take action sooner rather than later. Here is what the wings can tell you:

• The alate has shed its wings, which means it has mated and is ready to start a new colony.
• The termites may already be damaging timber inside your walls, floors or roof.
• A new colony may soon be adding to the structural damage.
• The wings may mark the point where the swarm entered or left the building, so keep them where they are for the technician.

Termite Alates or Flying Ants?

Swarming insects are easy to mix up. The table shows the quickest ways to tell them apart. Our guide on how to tell termites and ants apart covers the full list.

Feature	Termite alate	Flying ant
Waist	Broad and straight-sided	Narrow and pinched
Antennae	Straight	Bent or elbowed
Wings	Two pairs of roughly equal size	Front wings larger than hind wings
Colour	Pale to dark brown	Often darker, brown, reddish or black

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. DIY treatments risk driving termites deeper inside your home, making them harder to find.

1. Do not disturb the area where the termite wings were found.
2. Avoid sealing up the entry points around the wings.
3. Turn off any unneeded lights within the home where possible, as this may attract flying termites, especially at night.
4. Note where you spotted the wings, as this will help identify entry and exit points for the swarmers.
5. Take photos of the wings and the surrounding area, including any mud tubes or damaged timber nearby.
6. Book a professional pest control appointment as soon as possible.

With professional support, you will understand the scope of the problem. The technician will then provide tailored advice on the best way to tackle the infestation.

How to Collect a Sample for Professional Identification

To treat any infestation effectively, it is important to collect samples of the termites for identification. This will shape the treatment that follows. You will need:

• A small leak-proof container.
• Rubbing alcohol or hand sanitiser.
• Paper and an alcohol-resistant ink pen for labelling.

Then follow these steps:

1. Locate some termites. Look for live specimens near mud tubes or where you have seen alate wings.
2. Collect several specimens. Collect as many as possible. Alates or soldiers are especially helpful for accurate species identification.
3. Preserve your sample. Place the termites in the container with 70% isopropyl alcohol or hand sanitiser. This kills and preserves them for analysis. Seal the container.
4. Label the container. Write down your name, contact details, the date and the location.

Also note where the termites were found, for example near a door frame, inside a specific wall or at the outside foundation. Add any other observations, such as discarded wings, mud tunnels or the type of damage you can see.

What Happens at a Termite Inspection?

A licensed technician checks the whole property, not just the spot where you found the wings. Our team looks for active termites, past damage and the conditions that let them in.

• Inside the home, including walls, skirting, doors and windows.
• The roof void and subfloor, where accessible.
• The outside of the house, garden beds, fences, stumps and sheds.
• Signs of moisture and any existing barrier or bait stations.

You then receive clear findings, so you know whether treatment is needed and which method suits your home. Read more about what happens during a termite treatment.

The Critical Importance of a Follow-Up Termite Inspection

Whether we identify a mature termite nest in your property or not, it is important to follow up with a termite inspection within 6 months. This will ensure no new colonies have taken root after the alate sightings.

After that, Australian standards recommend an inspection at least once a year. Regular checks catch activity early, long before it reaches the structure of your home. Our inspections are built around this schedule.

Do You Have a Termite Infestation? Call Us

Control Pest Management provides termite inspections and treatments to residential and commercial clients. Our technicians are licensed, fully insured and police checked, and our treatments are suitable for children and pets. We service the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Gladstone and Logan. See our termite control on the Gold Coast, then request a free quote or call 1300 357 246.