Including the Formosan and Asian subterranean species typically swarm from February through April, often triggered by warm temperatures and rainfall. Swarms usually occur in late afternoon or early evening.
Swarm later in the year, typically from late summer through fall. They emerge during the day and are often mistaken for flying ants.
Are particularly aggressive swarmers. A single mature Formosan colony can contain millions of workers and release tens of thousands of swarmers in a single event. If you see a large, dense swarm, Formosan termites should be at the top of your list.
Florida ranked number one in the country for termite activity in the 2025 Terminix national report. The density of active colonies across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast means that swarmer events are not rare occurrences here. They are a regular feature of Florida spring and summer.
Termite swarmers have two pairs of wings that are equal in length, extending well beyond the body. Flying ants have a longer front pair and a shorter rear pair.
Termites have a straight, uniform body with no visible waist. Flying ants have a clearly pinched waist between the thorax and abdomen.
Termite antennae are straight and bead-like. Ant antennae are bent or elbowed.
Termites shed their wings almost immediately after landing. Finding small piles of equal-length wings near windowsills, doors, or light fixtures is a strong indicator of termite swarmer activity even if you did not see the swarm itself.
Killing swarmers with a can of bug spray accomplishes almost nothing. It does not affect the original colony in any way, and it does not stop any pairs that have already landed and shed their wings.
The swarm ending means the visible event is over. The underlying colony activity continues unaffected.
Place two or three swarmers in a sealed bag or container. A pest professional can confirm whether they are termites or flying ants, and if termites, which species. Species identification matters because subterranean and drywood termites require completely different treatment approaches.
A swarmer event near or on your property is not a reason to wait and see. It is a reason to schedule an inspection immediately.
After a swarmer event, a licensed pest professional will inspect for mud tubes along your foundation and walls, hollow-sounding wood in framing and structural elements, discarded wings near entry points, frass near wood structures, and live termite activity in soil samples near the foundation. The goal is to determine whether the swarm originated from a colony inside your structure, a colony in the soil on your property, or a neighboring property. Each scenario calls for a different response.
At Wise House Pest Control, we have seen firsthand how devastating termite invasions can be for homeowners across Palm Beach County and the Treasure Coast. We use safer, more effective treatments that target termites where they hide, breed, and travel. Not just where you see them. If you saw swarmers near your home today, do not wait for the next sign.
1177 Hypoluxo Rd Suite C-31 Lantana, FL 33462 (561) 727-8239
464 NW Peacock Blvd, Unit 106 Port St Lucie, FL 34986 (772) 783-4300
Contact us today for a free termite inspection and personalized protection plan.
