When do termites start swarming in the spring?

Swarming termites in March isn’t really breaking news. In fact, it’s typical to see termite swarms in places like Florida in the spring—even as early as February some years. Because of the wacky weather this year, swarms have followed a roller coaster pattern, emerging when it’s warm, only to disappear from sight when the cold fronts come back through.

Few homeowners think about termites when it’s unusually cool, but they should. Subterranean termites are active year-round.

Swarmers begin to emerge after the last winter freeze, when the temperatures rise to the low to mid-70s. Besides swarms, one of the other most common warning signs for termites is mud tubes, which are tunnels made out of soil that subterranean termites use to travel to wood sources around homes.

Swarms will be occurring early afternoon and usually after a light rain.

If you live in Florida, Georgia or other parts of the Southeast, you should be on the lookout for signs of termites now. Homeowners in the Northeast, Midwest and Northwest also may begin to see swarms in the weeks ahead if spring temperatures rise to the 70s; however, there are steps you can take to help prevent and control infestations—before or after swarming takes place.

Learn more about termites’ spring activity.

If you suspect you may have had a swarm or see any signs that make you suspicious, call your local Orkin Branch Office. A highly trained Orkin Termite Inspector will come to your home and conduct a thorough whole-home inspection. The inspector will develop a customized preventive or corrective treatment plan, backed by science, that best fits your needs.

If you need some help to determine whether or not you have activity, call Orkin today for a free termite inspection of your home.