As summer approaches after weeks of heavy rain, reports of “flying ants” have emerged across Hong Kong. This has raised concerns that the insects could become a nuisance and damage homes.
But the swarms of winged insects are not ants. Rather, they are different household pests called termites. Both termites and ants live in colonies. But ants are close relatives of bees and wasps, while termites are not.
The insects also look different from one another (see graphic). In addition, termites eat wood, while ants feed on a variety of foods.
Yiu Vor is chairman of the Hong Kong Entomological Society. Vor said the most common species found in Hong Kong homes is the Formosan subterranean termite. It is common across southern China.
When do flying termites usually appear?
Termites usually breed from April to June in Hong Kong. This is when the colony produces a large number of winged “adults” that wait for an ideal time to fly and find new spots to form new nests. That ideal time is usually during heavy rain, according to Yiu.
Henry Cheng Kwok-hang is a consultant at Ivy Pest Control Corporation. Cheng said flying termites usually appear in the evening. He added that insects are sensitive to subtle changes in weather. This means they can also appear as early as a few days before rainfall.
Why do termites enter flats?
Many termites are attracted to lights, especially fluorescent lamps, according to Yiu.
Cheng said termites that appear in homes feed on wood. This is why they eat wooden door frames and flooring or even shoe boxes and mattresses.
Termites also tend to head for low-lying areas in a flat, such as dusty corners, under sofas and the base of door frames. These areas often have enough moisture for termites to breed.
How do I protect my home and how do I know if there is an infestation?
To prevent termites from entering homes, Cheng suggested closing the windows for a few hours in the evening and installing window mosquito screens. Yiu said turning off some lights in the evening could also be helpful.
Termites use mud to cover their trails or tunnels, Yiu noted. That means if you see mud in any corners, it could be a sign that a colony has been established there. Yiu added that residents should seek out professionals to do a thorough investigation.
Residents sometimes encounter a large swarm of termites in their home. Cheng said one common mistake many people made was spraying the swarm to get rid of them. A few sprays could kill some termites. But the sprays could also disturb the mass, causing the termites to fly outward and spread. This would make the situation harder to contain.
The best way to handle termites in your home is to call professional pest control companies for help.
