Every spring, thousands of St. Louis homeowners discover something alarming: small, winged insects emerging from walls, window frames, or the soil around their foundation. These are termite swarmers, and their appearance means one thing — there is an established termite colony nearby, and it is mature enough to reproduce.
Termite swarm season in the St. Louis metro area typically runs from late February through May, with peak activity in March and April. Warm, humid days following spring rains trigger the swarms, sending thousands of winged reproductives into the air to start new colonies. If you see them inside your home, the colony is almost certainly already in your structure.
What Do Termite Swarmers Look Like?
Termite swarmers are frequently confused with flying ants, but there are clear differences every homeowner should know:
- Body shape: Termite swarmers have a straight, thick waist. Flying ants have a pinched, narrow waist.
- Wings: Termite swarmers have four wings of equal length that easily break off. Flying ants have two large front wings and two smaller hind wings.
- Antennae: Termite antennae are straight and beaded. Ant antennae are elbowed.
- Color: Eastern subterranean termite swarmers (the dominant species in Missouri) are dark brown to black, roughly 3/8 inch long including wings.
If you find piles of discarded wings near windowsills, doors, or in spider webs inside your home, that is a strong indicator of a termite swarm — even if you did not witness the actual event.
What Should You Do If You See Swarmers?
First, do not panic — and do not reach for a can of bug spray. Spraying swarmers kills the visible insects but does absolutely nothing to the colony feeding on your home’s wood. Here is what to do instead:
- Collect a few specimens in a plastic bag or jar. This helps your pest control professional confirm the species.
- Note where they emerged. Were they coming from a baseboard, a window frame, a crack in the slab, or outside near the foundation? This tells a technician where to focus the inspection.
- Call a licensed pest control company immediately. A professional termite inspection will assess whether the colony is active in your structure and recommend treatment.
- Do not disturb the area. Avoid pulling apart walls or disturbing soil near the foundation. You want the inspector to see the evidence.
How Termites Cause Damage
Eastern subterranean termites live in underground colonies that can contain hundreds of thousands to over a million workers. These workers travel through mud tubes — pencil-thin tunnels made of soil and saliva — to reach wood above ground. They eat wood from the inside out, meaning the damage is often severe before you ever see a sign.
Nationally, termites cause over $5 billion in property damage every year, and homeowner’s insurance almost never covers it. In Missouri’s climate, with our warm, humid summers and clay-heavy soil, termite pressure is especially high. The St. Louis metro consistently ranks among the top termite-risk zones in the country.
Why You Need a Professional Inspection
Termite damage is rarely visible from the surface. A trained inspector knows where to look — foundation walls, sill plates, rim joists, plumbing penetrations, expansion joints, and areas where wood contacts soil. They use moisture meters, probing tools, and years of experience to assess what is happening behind your walls.
Roberts Pest Control offers free termite inspections throughout Jefferson County, St. Louis County, St. Charles County, and surrounding areas. Our inspectors will thoroughly evaluate your property and explain exactly what they find — no pressure, no scare tactics.
Roberts Pest Control: Certified Sentricon Specialist
When treatment is needed, Roberts Pest Control uses the Sentricon baiting system — the most proven termite colony elimination technology available. As a Certified Sentricon Specialist, our technicians are trained to install and monitor Sentricon stations around your home’s perimeter.
Here is how it works: Sentricon stations are placed in the ground around your foundation. Termite workers discover the bait, feed on it, and carry it back to the colony — including to the queen. The result is complete colony elimination, not just a chemical barrier that termites might eventually breach. Sentricon also provides ongoing monitoring, so new colonies are detected before they cause damage.
This is not a generic bait product from a hardware store. Sentricon is only available through certified professionals, and Roberts has the training and track record to back it up.
Schedule Your Free Termite Inspection Today
Swarm season is here. If you have seen winged insects in or around your home, or if you simply want peace of mind before the season peaks, call Roberts Pest Control for a free, no-obligation termite inspection.
Serving Jefferson County, St. Louis County, St. Charles County & surrounding areas
Locally owned & operated • Licensed & insured • Certified Sentricon Specialist