Termites are the reason behind the downfall of several residential, commercial and industrial structures in Melbourne. If that wasn't bad news there are also flying termites to be worried about. In case you haven't already encountered this breed of pests, you're going to be alarmed knowing that these lethal pests also come with wings.
What that essentially means is that, you need to consider this form of encroachment on your property in Melbourne as well.
In order to set up the right kind of protection and removal facilities in your home against these pests.
Few Things You Need to Know About Flying Termites
How do Flying Termites Look?
If you're going to keep flying termites out of your home, you'll want to know what they look like in the first place. Let's categorise their physical appearance into the main characteristics so that even termite inspection by you or your family members is good enough to verify whether you have a problem at hand.
Here are Vital Stats on Their Features:
- They are a light gold colour.
- They have 6 legs and 2 antennae which have a very slight curve.
- They possess a one-part, thick body.
- They have 4 translucent wings in total, two on either side. The wings have a vein appearance and can be as big as 3 centimetres each.
Additionally they don't have a specific location preference and can be spotted across different parts of Melbourne and Australia. In general, they prefer damp, humid temperature of 25-28 degrees.
As and when the heavy rainfalls happen, flying termites seek to start breeding. Here is some in-depth information on termite behaviour. Within a colony, you will find 3 types – the only group that develops sexually forms wings and is able to fly is the subterranean type. These are the ones who go on to become the next leaders of a new colony.
If you spot a swarm of flying termites headed towards your house, you need to be worried as about 50,000 of them can land at once. Although only one tenth's of them might find a suitable mate, this is a risk you don't want to take with these pests.
How do I Tell the Difference between Flying Ants and Flying Termites?
Both flying ants, as well as flying termites, are pests you’ll want to remove from your home. In fact, any insect with wings can be a potential threat. However, identifying the difference between a flying ant and a flying termite can be tricky.
Here's a Quick Comparison at a Glance to Tell You the Differences:
- They have equally sized wings. Flying ants have their 2 big wings on the upper part of their body.
- Ants have 3 parts to their body whereas termites have a single body and a head.
- The antennae of ants are bent t a 90 degree angle while termites only have a slight bent to their antennae.
- Flying termites are bigger than flying ants by 2-3 millimetres.
- Ants are darker in colour while termites are a light gold colour.
Do Flying Termites Head in the Direction of Light?
Yes, like most other insects, flying termites too are attracted to light. Your home can easily get plagued by a swarm of these insects if you have a lot of light on and unguarded entry points.
Instead of whipping out an insect spray and spraying around try opening up the doors and windows and switching off the lights. They will automatically find their way out without leaving behind a whole bunch of wings.
What can I do for Removal of Flying Termites?
To begin with, you need to have a thorough inspection schedule set up at regular intervals of the year. Do ensure you employ professional services that have credibility you can bank on.
You can never be too sure, so it always helps to have cautionary measures setup in and around your home. You can set up a protection barrier and a termite monitoring system.
This will help bring to light any colonies that might be setup under your home's foundations and are unbeknown to you. Keep in mind that with a capacity to lay over 30,000 eggs a day, a colony can emerge in a duration as short as 2 weeks.
What Other Protective Measures can I Make in My Home Against Flying Termites?
The main things you can do to keep these critters out is involve professional pest control. However, you need to ensure your home becomes uncomfortable for flying termites to stay within.
- Check for and fix any plumbing issues you might have. These pests are attracted to damp areas so if there is a leak, it begins to create the perfect place for them to nest.
- Set up security screen guards on your doors and windows that will keep them out. This way you won’t have to have your house shut up all the time.
- Follow good maintenance practices to keep your home clutter-free. This also helps ensure there are no vacant hiding spots for flying termites or any other pests to start building a colony in.
- Keep your basements, attics dry and clutter-free and avoid storing wood or mulch.
Why Protech Pest Control?
At Protech Pest Control every one of our skilled experts is certified and acquainted with pest behaviour, how to eradicate them and how to make your home pest-free. With same-day service and a pest-free guarantee, we assure you of quality and the best rates.
We make use of environment-friendly solutions that take advantage of the latest technology. With Protech on board, you've got no pest to fear. Call us today and avail of a free-quote to protect your home from flying termites.
We know that when it comes to termites you need to take all the precautions you can, after all, your property is of immense value to you and to your loved ones.