Why Do I Keep Finding Winged Termites In Bathroom?

If you keep finding winged termites in your bathroom, it can often indicate an underlying termite issue in your house.

We will explain the reasons termites can be present in bathrooms, but first, let’s explain what the winged termites are and how to identify them.

What Are Winged Termites?

Each termite colony is divided into three different castes – Reproductives, Soldiers, and Workers. Termites in the Reproductive caste are the only ones that can fly as they are equipped with wings.

Termite flying patterns are known as swarms because they leave the colony to reproduce. The winged adult termites that fly away to form their own colonies are called swarmers.

The Reproductive caste has four divisions, i.e. Alates, De-alates, Kings and Queens, and Neotenics. Alates are commonly referred to as winged termites or flying termites. Alates, the young reproductive termites that have not yet mated become de-alates, which then leave their nest to mate and colonize. During this time, they shed their wings.

Termite Alates reproduce quickly, so don’t delay having them exterminated. If you keep seeing them in your bathroom, you should contact a professional termite exterminator for help as soon as possible.

How Can You Recognize Winged Termites?

Having two sets of wings is the only trait that winged termites have in common with other flying insects. Depending on the species, they appear in a range of colors but in general, they’re in the same beige or tan color as the other termite castes.

They have two antennae that are often straight but with a slight curve. Their wings have the same length, and appear veiny, translucent, and white in color.

Where Did the Winged Termites Come From?

Swarming usually occurs during the day and thus, is a visual sign that termite nests are nearby. If you keep finding winged termites in any area of your home, e.g. the bathroom, they have most likely come from an adjacent nest. When most of these insects are being found indoors, it is highly possible that you have a termite infestation under or inside your house.

Why Are Termites Attracted to Bathrooms?

Due to the frequent moisture problems found in bathrooms, termites prefer this place to build their mud tubes and plant their nests.

Inefficient or fault ventilation systems are causing a high humidity level in the bathroom as steam is not able to evaporate. As a result, a damp bathroom is an ideal environment for termites to thrive.

Showers and baths cause a high level of humidity, which allows termites to get the necessary amount of moisture.

Termites need a lot of water to retain moisture within their bodies and to survive. Leaking showers, bathtubs, and plumbing are sources of water for termites. Water running along leaky pipes and collecting on the floor creates perfect conditions for termites to feed and stay alive.

You should pay attention to damp and warm bathroom places like drains of a bathtub, shower or sink, and under the toilet. Watch for swarmers coming out from your bathroom vent, but also termites in bathroom vanity, wall, and even the light fixture.

It is often possible to see winged termites inside the drains. Swarmers can choose to come through drains because of possible clogs that provide them with the perfect opportunity to build their mud shelters. If you notice termites coming up drains, it is strong evidence that there’s a sound termite activity inside the bathroom, and perhaps in your entire house.

Termites often build their mud tunnels along the water pipes or on the tile walls that connect taps. Additionally, they form tunnels under the tile along the floor where the humidity levels are quite high, and on the ceiling, particularly if the ceiling is stretched which prevents the moisture from evaporating.

It can be particularly difficult to detect a termite infestation behind bathtubs and tiles. If their mud tunnel gets destroyed, you’ll be able to notice a big number of working termites running back and forth.

Other Reasons Why You Keep Finding Termites In Your Bathroom

Just like most insects, winged termites are attracted to light. Thus, it is common for swarmers to get trapped indoors and flying towards the light fixtures in the bathroom.

A probable reason swarmers might be flying around your bathroom is due to the room’s proximity to another termite colony. As the Alate termites leave their nests to mate with members of another colony, some of them might just fly in, being drawn by this colony that is located inside or underneath your house. Search for clear fallen wings and dead flying termites by the doors, windows, damaged wood inside and around the structure of your house.

As we have previously mentioned, in most cases, spotting a few swarming termites indoors is usually a solid indication of active termite infestations. If you’re concerned that you may have a termite infestation, whether in the bathroom or any other area of your home, contact Chem Free Exterminating immediately for a thorough inspection.