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Every time after the rain stops, swarms of alates (flying termites) begin to circle around light bulbs. Within just a few hours, your entire house is scattered with shed wings. Beyond being a nuisance, this is a critical warning sign that a serious threat—termites—might be closer than you think.
Many people wonder why alates are attracted to lamps, light sources, and light bulbs. This article explains the behaviour behind why alates swarm around lights, and why frequent alates inside your home mean you should prepare for potential termite infestations in the future.
Alates represent the reproductive stage of termites, emerging from their underground colonies during or immediately after the rainy season. Their primary objective during flight is simple: to find a mate and establish a new colony. Seeing large swarms of alates at the same time is no coincidence—it is a synchronised behaviour designed to maximise successful mating and colony creation.
Colony Departure: They leave existing termite nests to establish new ones.
Flight Timing: They typically fly during dusk and nighttime following rainfall.
Mating Process: Once they shed their wings, they pair up to become the future "Termite King and Queen."
Nesting Signs: If they descend near soil, wood crevices, or ceiling cavities, there is a high probability they will attempt to build a nest in that spot.
A common misconception is that alates simply love brightness. In reality, they use natural light sources (such as the moon) as a navigation tool (Phototaxis) to fly out of their nests and locate mates. Because artificial light bulbs produce a much higher light intensity than natural sources, alates become disoriented and drawn towards them. Turning on your indoor lights naturally attracts these swarming pests directly into your home.
The rainy season offers optimal humidity and temperature levels. Alates emerge simultaneously to mate, reproduce, and build new subterranean colonies for future generations.
Most alates entering your home originate from a subterranean termite nest located nearby.
Frequently spotting alates in the exact same areas.
Finding discarded alate wings scattered on floors or windowsills.
Hearing hollow sounds when tapping on wooden structures.
If you observe alates inside your property with increasing frequency, this is not normal behaviour—it is an urgent indicator that you should schedule a professional termite inspection.
Homeowners often mistakenly assume alates are harmless because they vanish within a few hours. In reality, if an alate successfully sheds its wings and burrows into the soil or moist crevices around your property, the risk of subterranean termites destroying your home's structural timber increases exponentially.
With over 40 years of experience in pest control, Rentokil provides expert termite prevention and elimination solutions to safeguard your property. If you notice frequent alate activity in or around your house, contact our specialists immediately for a professional pest survey—before a new colony expands and causes irreversible damage.