Winged termites signal a nearby colony; act fast with inspection, moisture fixes, and pro treatment to stop hidden structural damage.
Spotting winged termites indoors or clustering near lights can feel alarming. Those “swarmers” mean a mature colony is nearby and looking to expand. This guide shows how to get rid of winged termites the right way: quick checks you can do today, what not to do, proven treatments, and prevention that actually holds up.
How To Get Rid Of Winged Termites Indoors Right Now
First, stay calm. Winged termites live only a short time, and the flyers you see won’t chew wood. The goal is to capture evidence, find entry points, and set up an effective treatment plan. Use this rapid checklist to move from panic to action.
Rapid Response Checklist
- Collect a few swarmers and shed wings in a small bag or clean container for ID.
- Take clear photos near windows, baseboards, door frames, and light sources.
- Seal obvious gaps: door sweeps, torn screens, expansion cracks, pipe penetrations.
- Dry wet spots under sinks, around water heaters, and in crawl spaces.
- Call a licensed termite pro for a same-week inspection and quote.
Early Clues That Point To Termites
Termites leave telltale signs: pencil-wide mud tubes on foundations, blistered paint, soft baseboards, and piles of equal-sized wings on sills. Flying ants are a common mix-up. Ants have bent antennae and a narrow waist; termite swarmers have straight antennae and a thicker waist with equal wings.
Winged Termites Vs. Look-Alikes: Quick ID And First Moves
Correct ID saves time and money. Use the table below to match what you saw and pick the next step with confidence.
| What You See | How To Tell | Next Step |
|---|---|---|
| Winged termites (alates) | Equal wings; straight antennae; thick waist; shed wings on sills | Collect samples; schedule termite inspection within a few days |
| Flying ants | Front wings longer; elbowed antennae; pinched waist | Use ant control, not termite treatment; still close gaps and dry leaks |
| Discarded wings only | Small, equal pairs in piles near light sources or vents | Check baseboards and foundation for mud tubes; book inspection |
| Mud tubes | Brown, pencil-wide tunnels on concrete, brick, or framing | Do not scrape them all; leave some intact for the inspector |
| Blistered paint or soft wood | Paper-thin surfaces that dent with light pressure | Flag the area; avoid DIY sprays that contaminate evidence |
| Swarm near porch lights | Warm, humid days after rain; dozens to hundreds of flyers | Turn off lights; collect a few; note time, weather, and location |
| “Frass” pellets | Pellet mounds from drywood termites; look like sand or pepper | Photograph and save a sample; pro evaluation needed |
How to Get Rid of Winged Termites With A Pro Plan
This section maps the process a licensed company will follow and how you can steer the work for the best outcome. It ties together inspection, treatment selection, and monitoring so you gain control and keep it.
Step 1: Full Inspection
Expect a crawl of the perimeter, slab edges, garages, decks, and any moisture-heavy rooms. The tech checks for tubes, damaged wood, plumbing leaks, grade issues, and potential entry points. If the swarm occurred indoors, the inspector traces where swarmers emerged and looks for hidden galleries.
Step 2: Choose A Treatment Path
Two proven paths dominate: a continuous soil barrier using a termiticide, or a baiting system that recruits workers to carry an active back to the colony. Some homes use both. Spot foams or dusts help at tight nests or wall voids. Drywood infestations can require localized wood treatments or whole-structure fumigation.
Step 3: Moisture And Access Fixes
Termites thrive in damp wood and easy soil-to-wood contact. Repair leaks, add downspout extensions, slope soil away from the foundation, and keep mulch or firewood off the wall. These changes boost treatment success and reduce re-infestation pressure.
Step 4: Monitoring And Follow-Up
Good companies schedule checks after the initial work. With bait systems, follow-up is part of the design; with soil barriers, annual checks confirm protection holds and that no new grade or plumbing issues undermine the treatment.
Getting Rid Of Winged Termites At Home: Step-By-Step
Here’s a practical walk-through from the first sighting to long-term protection. It combines homeowner tasks with work a pro will handle.
Day 1–2: Lock Down Evidence And Moisture
- Collect a few insects and wings; label the bag with date and room.
- Photograph mud tubes, soft trim, and any damp drywall or sill plates.
- Dry leaks: tighten fittings, set fans or dehumidifiers, empty drip pans.
- Reduce attraction: turn off outdoor lights at dusk; close shades near swarms.
- Call for inspections from two or three licensed firms.
Week 1: Compare Pro Proposals
Read each plan for product type, where they drill or trench, bait layout, wall void treatments, cleanup, and warranty length. Ask about annual fees and re-treat triggers. If your house sits on a complex slab or has wells, share that early so plans match the site.
Week 2: Treatment Day
Move stored items away from foundation walls. Clear under sinks. Expect drilling through slab at cold joints or porch steps if needed. With baits, installers set stations at set spacing and mark a map. Keep pets and kids away from active areas until the tech gives the all-clear.
Smart Prevention That Keeps Colonies Away
Prevention works hand-in-hand with treatment. These tweaks reduce moisture, remove bridges to the structure, and cut down on swarm entry.
Moisture Control That Matters
- Vent or dehumidify crawl spaces; keep vents clear of leaves and debris.
- Extend downspouts; aim for firm drainage that sends water away fast.
- Fix grade so soil sits below the top of the slab or sill by several inches.
- Swap leaky hose bibs, wax rings, and sweating valves.
Remove Easy Bridges To Wood
- Keep mulch a few inches off the foundation; use a thin layer if you like the look.
- Store firewood on a rack away from the house.
- Trim soil or planters that touch siding or stucco.
- Pull cardboard boxes off slab floors; use plastic bins in garages.
Seal And Screen Entry Points
- Screen gable vents and repair window screens.
- Caulk utility penetrations and trim gaps where pipes meet walls.
- Add door sweeps and weatherstripping where light shows through.
When DIY Is Fine And When It Isn’t
You can vacuum dead swarmers and clean up wings after you’ve saved a few for ID. You can set dehumidifiers, fix leaks, add door sweeps, and trim back mulch. Spraying store products into suspected galleries can backfire by scattering workers and contaminating inspection sites. Structural termite control is best handled by a licensed company with the right tools and labels.
Termite Treatments Compared (What Pros Use)
The table below compares common approaches so you can make sense of quotes and ask good questions.
| Method | Best Use | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Soil-applied liquid termiticide | Subterranean termites around slabs, porches, and wall lines | Creates a treated zone; may require trenching and drilling; quick knockdown with long residual |
| Bait stations | Sites where drilling is limited or long-term monitoring is preferred | Workers feed and share active with the colony; needs regular checks; low disruption to landscaping |
| Foams or dusts in wall voids | Localized activity behind drywall or in tight framing | Spot work that pairs with soil or bait plans; helps where tubes enter voids |
| Localized wood treatments | Drywood pockets in trim or furniture | Drill-and-inject or surface treatments; best when the pocket is accessible |
| Whole-structure fumigation | Widespread drywood termites in several rooms | Tents the home; requires vacating; no residue; follow the company’s prep sheet closely |
| Construction upgrades | Renovations or new additions | Physical barriers, treated lumber, and smart design reduce risk before problems start |
What The Science And Standards Say
Consumer-level guidance from the EPA termite control page explains ID basics, prevention, and why licensed treatment is the reliable route for structures. For quick ID checks when you’re unsure if it’s ants or termites, the University of Maryland comparison covers body shape, antennae, and wing length in plain language. These resources align with the steps in this guide and help you double-check what you’re seeing.
Costs, Quotes, And Warranties That Make Sense
Prices vary by region, slab type, access, and the amount of drilling or bait needed. Soil work is often a one-time service with a yearly renewal fee for inspections. Bait systems spread the cost over time because of scheduled checks. Ask each company to map drill points or station locations, list the active ingredient, spell out renewal terms, and show what triggers a re-treat under warranty.
Mistakes That Keep Colonies Winning
- Relying on foggers or over-the-counter sprays inside galleries.
- Skipping moisture fixes after paying for treatment.
- Burying the slab edge with soil or new landscaping right after service.
- Letting crawl space vents stay blocked by leaves or stored items.
- Assuming one visit ends the job without monitoring.
Seasonal Swarms: What Timing Tells You
Most swarms happen on warm, humid days after rain. Spring swarms usually point to subterranean termites; late-summer or early-fall swarms can point to drywood activity in some regions. Indoor swarms mean a colony is inside the structure or directly under it. Outdoor swarms close to siding or steps suggest a nest near the foundation. Either way, plan on a full inspection and a treatment path that fits your house.
How To Keep Protection In Place Year After Year
Schedule yearly checks, even when no activity shows. Review downspouts, mulch depth, and grade after big storms. If you change patios, planters, or irrigation, tell your service company so they can adjust the treated zone or station layout. Save your photos and inspection notes in one folder so you can spot patterns over time.
Putting It All Together
Winged termites are a warning flare, not the end of the road. Capture evidence, dry leaks, and bring in a licensed pro to install a soil barrier, a bait plan, or both. Keep gaps sealed and keep the slab edge clear. With that mix—proof, treatment, and simple upkeep—you stop the colony’s growth and keep the structure protected.
The Main Takeaway On Action
If you’re asking “how to get rid of winged termites,” the answer is a fast two-track approach: tighten the building and moisture, then hire a licensed company to install a proven control system and monitor it. Use the tables above to sort out ID and pick a plan that matches the house you live in.