When Is Termite Swarming Season? A South Florida Calendar

Termite swarming season in South Florida starts in late winter and runs into early summer, with the most activity from March to June. Each species has its own window: native subterranean termites fly first, Asian subterranean termites follow, and Formosan and drywood termites dominate late spring.

UF/IFAS scientists note that in South Florida swarming can start as early as late February, while in the rest of the state termite activity usually picks up from mid-April to early May. This guide gives you the calendar species by species, the time of day each one flies, and what a swarm near your home actually means.

What Is a Termite Swarm?

A swarm, also called a dispersal flight, is how termite colonies reproduce. Once a colony is mature, it produces winged males and females, called alates or swarmers. On the right day, they leave the nest together, fly a short distance, drop their wings, pair off and look for a moist spot to start a new colony.

Swarming is about reproduction, not feeding. The workers that damage wood stay behind in the soil or in the wood and keep eating all year. That is why swarming season matters to homeowners: it is the one time of year when a hidden colony shows itself. UF/IFAS notes that Formosan dispersal flights can contain tens of thousands of individuals.

Termite Swarming Season by Species

Four termites cause most of the swarms people notice in Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and the Keys. The chart shows their flight seasons in Florida as reported by UF/IFAS.

Eastern Subterranean Termites: January to April

The eastern subterranean termite is Florida’s most widespread native termite. According to UF/IFAS, Reticulitermes flavipes flights start in early January and end in April, and a related species, R. virginicus, flies from early February to late May. South Florida populations may fly earlier in the season than those in North Florida.

Asian Subterranean Termites: February to April

The invasive Asian subterranean termite swarms from February through April in Florida, according to UF/IFAS. In South Florida, large swarms often appear in March. Its season ends at about the time the Formosan season begins.

Formosan Subterranean Termites: April to June

The Formosan subterranean termite typically swarms between early April and late June, with peak activity in May. These are the large evening swarms that cover porch lights and screened windows in late spring.

Drywood Termites: Mostly April to June

The West Indian drywood termite, the most important drywood pest in South Florida homes, flies from April to June, though UF/IFAS adds that flights are possible any time of the year. UF/IFAS notes that the colony produces its swarmers ahead of the rainy season.

What Time of Day Do Termites Swarm?

Time of day is one of the easiest ways to narrow down which termite you are dealing with.

UF/IFAS notes that Formosan swarmers are attracted to lights, and Asian subterranean flights also happen after dark, so night swarms often gather around porch lights, pool lights and lit windows. Daytime swarms in winter or early spring are more likely native subterranean termites. If the insects have elbowed antennae and pinched waists, they are probably ants; our guide to termites vs. flying ants shows the differences.

Why South Florida Has Such a Long Swarming Season

South Florida has more overlapping termite seasons than most of the country, for three reasons.

• More species. UF/IFAS counts 20 established termite species in Florida, more than any other state, and several of them are invasive species that thrive in tropical cities.
• A warm climate. Mild winters let native species fly as early as January, and tropical invaders like the Asian subterranean termite stay active in the southern counties.
• Overlapping invaders. UF/IFAS has identified Broward and Miami-Dade as the first counties where both the Formosan and the Asian subterranean termite are established, so homeowners there can see two big swarm seasons back to back.

The late-spring swarms also overlap with the start of the rainy season. Moist soil and damp wood give newly paired swarmers a better chance of starting a colony, which is why leaks and wet spots around your home matter most in spring.

What a Swarm Means for Your Home

Not every swarm means your house is infested. UF/IFAS explains that a few winged termites inside may have flown in from outside, drawn by lights. Use these rules of thumb:

• Swarmers outdoors, away from the house: a mature colony is nearby, in the soil, a stump, a tree or another building.
• A few swarmers by an open door or a lamp: possibly from outside; watch for more.
• Wings in several rooms: UF/IFAS says this calls for a proper inspection.
• Hundreds to thousands of swarmers indoors: usually a sign of an infestation in the structure.
• Swarmers coming out of a wall, trim or furniture: a colony is right there.

Swarms are only one clue. For the other moments termites give themselves away, from pellet piles to mud tubes, see when a homeowner sees termites. For a closer look at swarm behavior in this state, read termite swarming in Florida.

How to Protect Your Home Before and During Swarm Season

Swarmers need moisture and wood close together to survive, and subterranean colonies already near your home need a hidden way in. These steps, based on guidance from FDACS and UF/IFAS, make your home less inviting:

1. Keep wood off the ground. Do not let lumber, firewood, fence boards or wood trim touch the soil next to the house.
2. Control moisture at the foundation. Fix leaks, aim sprinklers away from walls and use gutters and downspout extensions to carry rain away.
3. Grade the yard so water flows away from the house instead of pooling against it.
4. Keep mulch thin and away from the slab, and leave a strip next to the foundation where you can see mud tubes.
5. Keep siding and foam board insulation 6 to 8 inches above the soil, as FDACS recommends.
6. Caulk gaps around windows, doors and seams in exterior finishes.

If you find swarmers indoors, do not spray them and walk away. Save a few in a sealed bag, take photos and schedule an inspection.

Termites Are Active All Year, Not Just in Swarm Season

Swarming season is when termites are easiest to notice, but the colony feeds every month of the year. UF/IFAS scientists suggest scheduling a termite checkup during the March to June activity period, and FDACS recommends annual inspections for older homes. Our guide to how often you should get a termite inspection explains when once a year is not enough.

Toro’s termite control service starts with a free inspection to identify the species and how far it has spread. Subterranean termites are handled with the Sentricon baiting system, which is designed to eliminate the colony, including the queen, and stays in place for year-round protection. Drywood termites are treated with TORO-GUARD, a non-tenting treatment, or with tent fumigation when the colony has spread through the structure. If the bugs come back, so will Toro, at no additional cost to you.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Educational content. This article is for general information about pests in South Florida and is not medical, legal or professional advice. If you have a bite, sting or allergic reaction, contact your doctor; in an emergency, call 911. Pest problems vary from home to home, so a licensed professional should inspect before treatment. When using any pesticide, always read and follow the product label.

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