Florida has two distinct termite swarming seasons that overlap, creating a multi-month window when Polk County homeowners are most likely to see active termite reproduction. Subterranean termites (Reticulitermes flavipes) swarm from February through May, peaking in March. Drywood termites (Cryptotermes brevis and Incisitermes snyderi) swarm from May through August, peaking in June and July. The combined window — February through August — is the period when Polk County homeowners most commonly discover termite activity. Call the number below to be connected with an FDACS-licensed inspector if you’ve seen swarmers or discarded wings.
What Termite Swarming Is
Termite colonies produce winged reproductive members called alates or swarmers. When environmental conditions are right (typically warm humid evenings after rain), swarmers emerge from established colonies in mass dispersal flights. They fly short distances (typically a few hundred yards at most), land, shed their wings, and pair up to attempt establishing new colonies.
A swarm at or near a home means one of two things:
- A nearby established colony is producing reproductives — possibly inside your home, possibly in a neighbor’s structure or in a tree stump within flying distance
- An established colony has matured to the reproductive stage, which typically takes 3–5 years from initial founding
Either way, a swarm is a clear signal that there is termite activity in your immediate area, and structural inspection is warranted.
Polk County Subterranean Termite Swarming Calendar
Species: Eastern subterranean termite (Reticulitermes flavipes)
Season: February through May, peaking in March
Typical swarm conditions:
- Daytime temperatures above 70°F
- High humidity
- Recent rainfall (often the day of or day after rain)
- Mid-morning to early afternoon swarms most common
Swarmer description:
- ~3/8 inch long (similar size to a flying ant)
- Black body
- Pale gray to translucent wings of equal length
- Wings are significantly longer than the body
Where swarms emerge from:
- Cracks in slab
- Around door frames
- Around window frames
- From plumbing penetrations
- Through electrical outlets
- From wall void cracks
- Around the bath trap (slab cutout behind tubs/showers)
Visible after-evidence:
- Piles of discarded wings near windows, doors, light fixtures
- Live termites near light sources (attracted to UV)
- Dead termite bodies on window sills and floors
If you see a subterranean termite swarm at your Polk County home during February–May, the most likely interpretation is that an established subterranean colony is somewhere within your structure or immediately adjacent to it. Inspection is warranted within 30 days.
Polk County Drywood Termite Swarming Calendar
Species: West Indian drywood termite (Cryptotermes brevis), Southeastern drywood termite (Incisitermes snyderi)
Season: May through August, peaking in June and July
Typical swarm conditions:
- Evening to nighttime hours
- After warm humid afternoons
- Often after rainfall
- Calm wind conditions
Swarmer description:
- Pale tan to reddish-brown body
- Smoky or translucent wings, often of slightly unequal length
- Smaller than subterranean swarmers in some cases
- Attracted strongly to lights
Where swarms emerge from:
- Wooden structural members (typically attic)
- Eaves and soffits (exterior)
- Window frames and door frames
- Hardwood floors
- Wooden ceiling features
- Outdoor wooden structures (decks, fences, sheds)
Visible after-evidence:
- Piles of discarded wings near light fixtures and windows
- Frass piles (pellet-like droppings) below infested wood
- Kick-out holes in wood members
- Live swarmers around outdoor lighting and porch lights
If you see a drywood termite swarm at your Polk County home during May–August, the most likely interpretation is that an established drywood colony exists in the wood structure of your home or in an immediately adjacent structure (neighbor’s home, outbuilding, fence). Drywood swarmers can fly from a neighbor’s home and establish a new colony in yours.
The Combined Polk County Termite Calendar
| Month | Subterranean Activity | Drywood Activity |
|---|---|---|
| January | Colony activity, no swarming | Colony activity, no swarming |
| February | Swarming begins | Colony activity |
| March | Peak swarm | Colony activity |
| April | Active swarming | Pre-swarm preparation |
| May | Late swarming | Swarming begins |
| June | Reduced swarming | Peak swarm |
| July | Colony activity | Peak swarm |
| August | Colony activity | Late swarming |
| September | Colony activity | Reduced swarming |
| October | Colony activity | Colony activity, no swarming |
| November | Colony activity | Colony activity |
| December | Colony activity | Colony activity |
Year-round biological activity — even outside swarm season, both species are actively feeding and reproducing inside their established habitats. Swarms are just the visible reproductive cycle.
What To Do If You See a Termite Swarm
1. Capture a few specimens. A small plastic container with a few swarmers (live or dead) helps the dispatched inspector make a fast positive identification. Distinguishing termite swarmers from flying ants requires looking at antennae (straight vs elbowed) and wing length (equal vs unequal).
2. Document where they emerged from. Photograph or note the location where the swarm appeared — wall void, ceiling, slab crack, window frame, etc. This guides the inspector’s initial focus.
3. Don’t spray over-the-counter pesticide on the swarmers themselves. OTC sprays kill the visible swarmers but don’t address the underlying colony. Worse, they may drive remaining colony members deeper into the structure, complicating professional treatment.
4. Schedule professional inspection within 30 days. The dispatched FDACS-licensed inspector confirms species and identifies the source colony. Free inspection is standard for active infestation concerns.
5. If you’re under contract on a home and see swarmers, notify your real estate agent and request a WDO inspection if not already scheduled.
How Swarm Timing Affects Treatment Approach
Treatment options remain the same regardless of swarm timing:
- Subterranean termite: Liquid termiticide barrier or in-ground bait station system
- Drywood termite: Whole-house fumigation, spot treatment, or heat treatment
However, swarming season is a busy time for FDACS-licensed operators in Polk County. Scheduling typically:
- Standard inspection: Within 24–72 hours of call during swarm season
- Treatment scheduling: May extend to 1–3 weeks during peak swarm months (March, June, July)
- Whole-house fumigation: Often 2–4 weeks lead time during peak
If you discover termite activity during peak swarm season, calling promptly secures earlier treatment slots.
Why Polk County Has Both Species
Polk County sits in the geographic overlap zone where subterranean termites (active throughout the eastern and southern U.S.) and drywood termites (active in Florida, Hawaii, California, and Louisiana coastal zones) both establish.
- Subterranean: Polk County’s sandy soils, year-round soil moisture, and 50–55 inches of annual rainfall (NOAA NWS Tampa Bay) support continuous Reticulitermes flavipes activity.
- Drywood: Polk County’s 75% mean humidity, warm temperatures, and abundant wood structures support drywood colony establishment.
This dual-species pressure is why annual WDO inspection is recommended for Polk County homes, and why termite bonds covering both species are common practice.