Google review
Q and L was quick to respond and incredibly effective in remedying a termite issue. I could not recommend them enough.
November 10, 2026
Termite swarm season in Palm Beach County: what to do when swarmers show up
Short answer: Termite swarm season in Palm Beach County runs from about late February into June. Asian subterranean termites swarm first at dusk, drywood termites follow in spring, and Formosan subterranean termites swarm from late April into May. If swarmers show up inside, turn off the lights near them, vacuum them up, save a few in a sealed bag and book an inspection so the species and source can be identified.
Every spring, a warm, still evening can turn a porch light or a sliding glass door into a cloud of winged insects. Most of the time it’s a termite swarm, and it’s one of the few times of the year when termites, which normally stay hidden, are easy to see. Termite colonies are active all year, so it helps to know what a swarm looks like before the next one. Here’s what’s happening, what to do in the moment and what to do next.
When do termites swarm in Palm Beach County?
UF/IFAS researchers in Fort Lauderdale report that termite activity in South Florida is most visible from March to June, and in some years swarms start in the last week of February. Different species take turns:
| Species | Typical swarm window in South Florida | What you’ll notice |
|---|---|---|
| Asian subterranean termite | Late February through April, at dusk and after dark | Large flights around lights on warm evenings. UF/IFAS describes this species as very common from Key West to West Palm Beach. |
| Drywood termites (including the West Indian drywood termite) | Spring, roughly April through June | Smaller numbers of swarmers indoors, shed wings on windowsills and small piles of pellets (frass) under wood. |
| Formosan subterranean termite | Late April into May | Big evening flights, often just as Asian subterranean flights are winding down. |
Exact timing shifts with weather from year to year, so treat these windows as a guide rather than a calendar.
Why termites swarm
Swarmers, also called alates, are the winged males and females a mature colony sends out to mate and start new colonies. They fly, pair up, drop their wings and look for a place to start. Most never make it, but a swarm tells you there’s an established colony nearby, either in your structure, in a tree or in the soil around it. UF/IFAS notes that termite colonies are active year-round, so a swarm is a sign of what’s already there, not the start of the problem.
Swarmers inside vs. outside
A handful of swarmers on a lanai screen or near a porch light on a spring night is common and may have flown in from somewhere else. UF/IFAS explains that a few winged termites inside don’t automatically mean your home is infested, because swarmers are drawn to indoor lights. It’s a different story if you find wings collecting in several rooms, swarmers coming from a wall, baseboard, window frame or floor crack, or large numbers indoors. UF/IFAS notes that large numbers of Asian subterranean swarmers inside usually point to an infestation in the structure. That’s when to book an inspection.
What to do when swarmers show up
- Turn off the lights near the swarm and close doors and windows. Swarmers fly toward light, especially at dusk.
- Vacuum them up. Swarmers that land indoors usually dry out and die quickly. A vacuum is the easiest cleanup.
- Save a sample. Put a few insects or wings in a sealed bag or small jar. Swarmers can be termites or flying ants, and the species decides the treatment.
- Take photos and note where you found them, such as which room, which window and whether they came from a wall, a light fixture or the floor.
- Don’t spray. Spraying the swarmers doesn’t reach the colony and can remove the evidence your technician needs.
- Call for an inspection. Bring your sample and notes, and we’ll tell you what it is and what it means for your home.
Not sure if it’s a termite or a flying ant? Our post on termite signs in Palm Beach County covers the differences, and UF/IFAS also runs a termite identification service for samples.
A seasonal check around your home
Before swarm season starts, and again while it’s underway, walk the outside of your house and look for the conditions termites like:
- Mud tubes on the foundation, slab edge, stucco or garage walls
- Mulch or soil piled against the foundation, and wood touching soil
- Sprinklers hitting the walls, leaks and damp spots
- Small piles of pellets under windowsills, door frames, furniture or attic wood
- Large trees close to the house, since subterranean termites can nest in live trees and forage underground toward structures
Buying or selling a home in spring?
Spring is busy for both termites and home sales in Palm Beach County. If a swarm shows up during a listing or an inspection period, a written termite inspection report documents what’s found so buyers, sellers and realtors are working from the same information.
Which termite treatment fits?
The species decides the treatment, which is why identification comes first. Q and L Pest Management matches termite treatment to the termite type and how far the infestation has spread. Common options include:
- Liquid termiticide treatment in the soil around the structure, for subterranean termites.
- Termite bait systems, such as Trelona, which use bait stations around the home for subterranean termites. UF/IFAS describes baits and soil treatments as the management options for Asian subterranean termites.
- Tent fumigation for drywood termites spread through a structure. UF/IFAS points out that tenting doesn’t help with subterranean termites, because the rest of the colony is in the soil.
For a deeper comparison, read drywood vs. subterranean termites. If a neighbor is being tented, see what to do when your neighbor is tented for termites.
How Q and L Pest Management helps
Our termite control service starts with an inspection to confirm the species and where the activity is coming from. Then we explain your options in plain language and give you a written recommendation. Termite questions come up all year, so we’ve answered more of them in our FAQ and pest education FAQ.
We inspect homes across Palm Beach County year-round, including Lantana, Lake Worth Beach, Boynton Beach, Delray Beach, Boca Raton, West Palm Beach, Riviera Beach, Palm Beach Gardens, Jupiter and Wellington.
Frequently asked questions
When is termite swarm season in Palm Beach County?
Termite swarm season in Palm Beach County runs from about late February into June. Asian subterranean termites usually swarm first, at dusk, followed by drywood termites in spring and Formosan subterranean termites from late April into May.
Do termite swarmers inside mean my house has termites?
Not always. A few swarmers can fly in toward indoor lights. Wings in several rooms, swarmers coming out of a wall, window frame or floor, or large numbers indoors are signs to book an inspection.
Should I spray termite swarmers?
No. Spraying swarmers doesn’t reach the colony. Vacuum them up, save a few in a sealed bag or jar, take photos and call (561) 725-5274 so the species can be identified.
What time of day do termites swarm?
Subterranean termites in South Florida commonly swarm at dusk and after dark on warm evenings, which is why they gather around porch lights, windows and screens.
Can I wait until swarm season is over to call?
You can, but the colony stays active year-round. A swarm is a good reason to have the home inspected while the evidence is fresh. Save a sample so it can be identified.
What termite treatments does Q&L offer?
We match the treatment to the termite type and the infestation. Options include liquid termiticide treatments and bait systems such as Trelona for subterranean termites, and tent fumigation for widespread drywood termites. See our termite control page.
Request a complimentary inspection
Book a complimentary inspection and we’ll share what we find, explain your options and recommend a plan for your home.
Request a complimentary inspection: qandlpest.com/estimate · (561) 725-5274
Office hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–4:00 PM.
Inspect first. Treat smart.
About the author
Michael Ringler, Q and L Pest Management. Q and L Pest Management is a family-owned pest control company based in Lantana and serving Palm Beach County.Q and L Pest Management LLC holds FDACS Pest Control Business License #JB333443. Services are performed under FDACS Certified Pest Control Operator John Park, certificate #JF320165.
Sources
- UF/IFAS News. Termite season: UF/IFAS scientist answers common questions, corrects misconceptions (March 30, 2022). https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2022/03/30/termite-season-uf-ifas-scientist-answers-common-questions-corrects-misconceptions/
- UF/IFAS News. As Florida enters termite swarm season, UF/IFAS scientists tell consumers what to know (March 3, 2021). https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/news/2021/03/03/as-florida-enters-termite-swarm-season-uf-ifas-scientists-tell-consumers-what-to-know/
- UF/IFAS EDIS. Asian Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes gestroi (IN285). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN285
- UF/IFAS EDIS. Formosan Subterranean Termite, Coptotermes formosanus (IN278). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN278
- UF/IFAS EDIS. West Indian Drywood Termite, Cryptotermes brevis (IN236). https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN236
- UF/IFAS Fort Lauderdale Research and Education Center. Termites in Florida: send samples for identification. https://flrec.ifas.ufl.edu/termites-in-florida/send-samples/