Termite swarms are signs of mating season

Those thick swarms of termites appearing nightly throughout South Mississippi wont eat your house for dinner, authorities said.

The mass of winged varmints -- called swarmers -- are most likely Formosan termites, one of three species of termites found on the Coast. The non-native, invasive species first made its way to the state in the mid-1980s and is spottily distributed in the lower half of Mississippi, according to a report by Mississippi State University Extension Service.

Eastern subterranean termites can be found throughout the state and southeastern drywood termites dont venture far from U.S. 90.

JOHN FITZHUGH/SUN HERALD Dead termites can be seen inside the globe of a light fixture of a Bilox house on Tuesday. Formosan termites swarm early May to early June, which is their mating season.

The swarms of Formosans mean the bugs mating season has begun, said Bobby Ware, president of Terminator Pest Control.

Typically, young swarmer termites attempt to pair up with a member of the opposite sex from early May to early June, fall to the ground together, shed their wings, mate and find a protected site in the ground to begin a new colony, he said.

Swarms around a house dont necessarily mean the home is infected by termites, but seeing the buggy mass should serve as a reminder to have the home inspected, Ware said.

Nothing beats a thorough inspection, he said.

Ware said several pest control companies on the Coast offer free home evaluations.

He warns that homeowners should use only certified inspectors and make sure to see proof of damage and activity before purchasing services.

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Termite swarms are signs of mating season