Termite Swarm Season in Kansas City: What It Means and What to Do

Eastern subterranean termites, the termite of the Kansas City area, swarm mostly from March through May. Swarms happen on warm, humid days — often the first warm afternoon after a spring rain — and usually last less than an hour.

A colony swarms only once it is mature, typically several years old. The swarmers are future kings and queens leaving to start new colonies; most die within hours.

Flying ants swarm in spring too, and they are the usual false alarm. Termite swarmers have straight, bead-like antennae, a thick waist with no pinch, and two pairs of wings that are the same length and extend well past the body.

Flying ants have elbowed antennae, a narrow pinched waist, and a front pair of wings that is noticeably longer than the back pair. Termite swarmers are also weak fliers that shed their wings quickly — piles of identical wings on a windowsill are a strong termite sign.

A swarm outdoors — from a stump, fence post or woodpile — tells you there is a colony in the area. It is worth checking the foundation for mud tubes, but it doesn't mean the house is infested.

A swarm inside the house, or wings on indoor windowsills and near light fixtures, is different: the swarmers came from a colony that is feeding in or under the structure. That calls for an inspection.

Save a few swarmers or wings in a zip-top bag or on clear tape, or take a sharp photo. It makes identification certain.

Don't spray the swarmers or break open any mud tubes — the swarmers die on their own, and the tubes show us where the colony is working. Vacuum up the rest once you have a sample.

Then text us the photo or schedule an inspection. A swarm doesn't mean the house is about to fall down; termite damage builds over years. It does mean it's time to find out where you stand.