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Jun. 30, 2008 02:43 AM

Swarming termitesThousands of winged termites swarm out of underground nest sites in spring —with one objective in mind: to find a mate and build a nest, and eventually establish a new colony. Large numbers of males and females are produced in subterranean termite colonies in late winter and early spring. They are moved to specific locations in the nest (near the soil surface) and remain there until the time is right to leave. They may wait for several weeks, and have to be fed and groomed by nestmates. This scenario is played out in other colonies in the area – that’s important.

The value of swarming is for colonies to ‘exchange’ males and females for mating. In general, colonies use weather conditions to coordinate the release of their reproductives. They wait for calm winds (less than 6 mph) and overcast days following a spring rain. They don’t want a strong wind to blow everyone away from the big dance! Wet soil helps the new couples to build their first nest, and the extra humidity helps survival. Not all swarms occur outdoors. Sometimes the colony misjudges the release point and thousands of winged termites are released indoors. Regardless of the site (or lack of exchange with other colonies), the pairing, shedding of wings, mating and potential founding of a new nest all proceed without a hitch.

Colonies usually produce swarms once they have reached a certain size – based on the number of workers in the colony. The average colony produces swarms every year, but the number released varies. The release is usually staggered over a few days. There may be a large ‘first’ swarm, followed by smaller second and third swarms. Termites have a lot of swarming experience, and seem to make it work.

Reference: Urban Entomology: Insect and Mite Pests in the Human Environment. 1996. Wm. H. Robinson. Chapman & Hall, London, U.K.