Termite Control

• Ant swarmers (flying ants) are reddish brown to black, have a pinched waist with wings of unequal length, and elbowed antennae.
• Termite swarmers (reproductives) are black or copper/tan in color depending on the species. All species of termites have a straight waist, four wings of equal length, and straight antennae.

• Native (Eastern or Southern) Subterranean termites swarm in the afternoon from February through May in South Mississippi and South Louisiana. In 2001 we had termite swarms as late as October. They have dark brown to black bodies and whitish translucent wings.
• Formosan termites swarm at night, typically after 8:00 p.m. from mid-May into June. They are tan or copper colored, also with whitish translucent wings. Shortly after swarming they lose their wings and can be seen crawling around, often in pairs following each other.

Formosan termites are especially dangerous for two reasons. First is their colony size. Experts have estimated large Formosan termite colonies to number up to 15 million. Ten to one hundred times the number of their native cousins. Secondly, Formosan termites, unlike any other species, have the ability to construct above ground nests, called cartons, to store moisture. With carton nests in place, these home wreckers can live independent of soil contact where traditional termiticides are applied, causing incredible damage before they are discovered.