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Nature & Environment

Swarms of termites descend on southeast

By T.K. Randall
May 24, 2013 · Comment icon 13 comments

Image Credit: CC 2.0 William Cho
Thousands of the insects have turned some areas in to something reminiscent of a B horror movie.
Huge numbers of termites congregate in the region every year to find a mate and to start a new colony. While the swarms themselves are harmless to humans, if they manage to settle inside a house then they can pose a significant problem. While termites can be found in most parts of the US, the Southeast and mid-Atlantic states are the most likely place to find infestations.

"It can be a little bit unsettling for a homeowner to come home after work and find thousands and thousands of these winged termites all over countertop and kitchen floor," said entomologist Jim Fredericks.
In a telltale sign of spring, swarms of termites are taking to the air, grossing out residents and unsettling homeowners.


Source: MSN | Comments (13)

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Recent comments on this story
Comment icon #4 Posted by highdesert50 12 years ago
Now, if only the "crazy" ants and fire ants would descend upon and eradicate the termites ... or, should it be the other way around?
Comment icon #5 Posted by pallidin 12 years ago
Never was around a termite "swarm", but when I was a kid living in south Florida, I recall being home alone watching "Creature Feature" with the lights out. Heard this faint buzzing noise, turned on the living room light, and all of a sudden hundreds of flying cockroaches were in the air. Scared the crap out of me and I ran out of the house. Of course, I left the light on. When I returned inside, I could not see a single one... I guess they scurried away into the nooks and cranies of our older house. This was the second house I lived in in Florida that was eventually "tent-fumigated" Oh yeah, ... [More]
Comment icon #6 Posted by Lava_Lady 12 years ago
Never was around a termite "swarm", but when I was a kid living in south Florida, I recall being home alone watching "Creature Feature" with the lights out. Heard this faint buzzing noise, turned on the living room light, and all of a sudden hundreds of flying cockroaches were in the air. Scared the crap out of me and I ran out of the house. Of course, I left the light on. When I returned inside, I could not see a single one... I guess they scurried away into the nooks and cranies of our older house. This was the second house I lived in in Florida that was eventually "tent-fumigated" Oh yeah, ... [More]
Comment icon #7 Posted by Abramelin 12 years ago
http://www.unexplained-mysteries.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=247846
Comment icon #8 Posted by Sundew 12 years ago
If you see flocks of swallows or Purple Martins circling about you can often locate a nearby termite swarm. Termites, the plankton of the sky!
Comment icon #9 Posted by jpjoe 12 years ago
Just the other night we had a sudden invasion of these. It's hilarious to see hundreds of them crawling and flying everywhere in the house. Clear the swarm with water, then poison the mounds - all will be fine.
Comment icon #10 Posted by dibatag 12 years ago
We have a similar thing happen here with Bogon Moths they gather in huge swarms at a certain time of the year in the mountains and in Canberra the capital city, the indigenous people used to eat them as a source vitimins
Comment icon #11 Posted by AliveInDeath7 12 years ago
Those things loveee rotting wood. My father made a walkway border out of old railroad spikes and those things swarmed all over it, making nests and what have you. Spraying them with bleach and other pest killers seems to help. We only have problems with them once in a while. Terrible creatures.. It only makes sense that they choose New Orleans.
Comment icon #12 Posted by Lava_Lady 12 years ago
Termites are so annoying especially during swarm season but I must admit that seeing their iridescent wings floating in lamp light at night is eerily, surreal and beautiful. They drop their wings at some point, I have no idea why and by the morning the roads are covered with them and when cars drive though a heavy patch they are thrust up and float down slowly like tiny feathers. Still don't like them regardless. Lol
Comment icon #13 Posted by mysticwerewolf 12 years ago
get a wet-dry vacuum and suck them up them spray some raid in the vacuum, it works ( or if you are against using pesticides then dump the vacuum bag's contents in a lake or river. works here in Wa. ) @ lava lady Once they have bred and are ready to start the hive they loose their wings and start digging and or eating their way into the location for the new hive
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