Termite

Why Termites Emerge After Rainfall

Termite

There is a time when people in the southern part of Nigeria witness the flight of termites after a few rains prior to the wet season. The flight takes a period of one to three days— then they are gone after shedding their wings. What is this all about? Nothing other than termites—why they emerge after a few rains, their economic importance (pros and cons), and what to do when they emerge.

Termites emerging after a long dry season is a natural phenomenon. This is typically due to a swarming behavior, where reproductive termites, "alates," leave their colonies to establish new ones. Here's why it happens:

Why Termites Emerge After a Few Rainfalls

  • Moisture activation: After a prolonged dry spell, rain softens the soil, making it easier for termites to move and form new nests.
  • Reproductive cycle: Rainfall often triggers the annual reproductive cycle, signaling the start of the mating flight (nuptial flight).
  • Protection from predators: The increased moisture and the timing of the swarming can help reduce the risk of predation during this vulnerable phase.
  • Humidity and warmth: Termites thrive in humid conditions; post-rainfall air provides the perfect environment for them to survive and fly.

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