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If you turn on your porch lights after a warm rain and see flying termites gathering nearby, you are not alone. In Louisiana, termite swarms are common during late spring and early summer. Many homeowners notice termite swarmers around outdoor lights and window sills at night.
Seeing winged termites near your home can be stressful. You may worry about a termite infestation or hidden termite damage. The good news is that light does not cause a termite problem. But lights can attract termite swarmers that are already flying in the area.
Letās look at why termite swarmers gather around lights and what you should do if it happens at your home or business, including when to consider termite control in Louisiana.
Key Takeaways
- Termite swarmers move toward light sources such as porch lights and other outdoor lights.
- Light does not cause a termite infestation, but it can draw in flying termites from nearby colonies.
- Discarded termite wings on window sills are a common sign of termites.
- Subterranean termites, drywood termites, and Formosan termites all swarm in Louisiana.
- A termite inspection helps detect an active infestation early.
Do Termite Swarmers Follow Lights?
Yes, termite swarmers often move toward light sources. But light does not create termite activity. It attracts flying termites that are already active during swarming season.
Yes, They Are Attracted To Light
Termite swarmers, which people also call alates or winged termites, leave a termite colony to start a new colony. Once they take flight, swarmers may move toward nearby light sources while they search for a place to start a new colony.
Outdoor lights, porch lights, and other light fixtures can attract large numbers of flying termites. Subterranean termites, drywood termites, and Formosan termites all produce swarmers in Louisiana.
No, Light Does Not Cause A Termite Infestation
Light does not create a termite infestation. It only draws in swarmers from nearby areas.
If you see a swarm of termites around your porch lights, the colony of termites may be in your yard or a nearby property. However, if flying termites are inside your home, that may be a warning sign of an active infestation.
People Often Mistake Them For Flying Ants
Flying ants and termite swarmers look similar to many homeowners. Because they look alike, many homeowners confuse them.
Termite swarmers have straight antennae and two pairs of equal-sized wings. Flying ants have bent antennae and wings of unequal size. If you are unsure, a pest control company can identify the termite species.
What Happens When Swarmers Spot Porch Lights
During swarming season, flying termites often move toward porch lights and other outdoor light sources and gather around them.
Swarmers Circle Around Light Fixtures
Flying termites will often gather around light fixtures and outdoor lights. They may bounce off windows and gather near door frames or window sills.
After landing, termite swarmers drop their termite wings. You may wake up and find small piles of wings in crevices or on window sills. These often signal termite activity.
Some May Enter Through Small Gaps
Flying termites can slip inside if your home has small gaps around door frames or windows. Once indoors, they often gather near lamps or ceiling lights.
Finding flying termites indoors does not always mean there is termite damage inside. Still, indoor swarming termites can signal a problem that needs attention.
Most Swarmers Die Quickly
Swarming termites are fragile. Many do not survive long after leaving the termite colony.
Even though most swarmers die, they still signal nearby termite activity. That is a good reason to inspect your home.
What To Do If Lights Are Drawing Swarmers
If flying termites are gathering around your lights, take simple steps to reduce risk and check for problems.
Reduce Outdoor Lighting During Swarming Season
During swarming season, reducing bright porch lights near doors and windows may help limit how many flying termites gather near your home. Fewer light sources may reduce the number of termite swarmers around your home.
You can also switch to softer or yellow bulbs that attract fewer flying insects.
Check For Signs Of Termites
Look around your foundation for mud tubes. Subterranean termites build mud tubes to travel safely.
Check door frames, crawl spaces, and wooden areas for soft spots. Look at window sills for discarded termite wings. These are clear warning signs of termites.
Watch For Ongoing Termite Activity
If you see repeated termite swarms or keep finding wings indoors, you may have a termite problem.
Drywood and Formosan termites can cause damage to wooden structures inside walls. Early termite control helps prevent costly repairs later.
Schedule A Professional Termite Inspection
If you do not know where the swarm came from, schedule a termite inspection. A trained technician can determine whether there is an active infestation.
We provide termite control services for homes and businesses across southeast Louisiana. Our team checks crawl spaces, foundations, and wooden structures for termite activity and damage.
If needed, treatments such as soil treatment can protect your home from subterranean and Formosan termites.
Schedule A Termite Swarm Inspection In Louisiana
Seeing flying termites around porch lights may seem minor, but it can signal a larger termite problem. It is better to check early than wait for serious termite damage.
At LaJaunieās Pest Control, we offer professional termite inspection and termite treatment services across southeast Louisiana.Ā
Contact us today to schedule your free inspection and protect your home from termite infestations.
FAQs
Why do termite swarmers gather around lights?
Flying termites are often attracted to light sources during the swarming season. Porch lights and other light sources attract them at night.
Does seeing flying termites mean I have a termite infestation?
Not always. The swarm may come from a nearby termite colony. However, indoor swarming termites can be a warning sign of a termite problem.
When should I call a pest control company?
Call a pest control service if you see repeated termite swarms, mud tubes, or discarded termite wings inside your home. A free inspection can confirm if termite treatment is needed.
