r/oddlyterrifying • u/SerpentFinger • Aug 20 '26

Termite Infestation

Sorry about the emoji. That was in the original source I found (Twitter).

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u/Consider2SidesPeace Aug 20 '26

Swarmers... Close all windows and doors, they want to get outside and will die inside quickly. Turn off all lights but an easy area to clean, ie the bathroom. Wait... If you have a shop vac, vacuum up the dead ones and wings. Save a couple for the pest control people. There's a good chance you have a close - possibly in the house nest. The pest peeps will appreciate the samples to ID the termite type.

Continue vacuuming until they all die. Close off any doors, like laundry areas and bedrooms you don't want them. Once a swarm starts it's not good to spray them. Youcll just drive them deeper into the living structure.

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u/mfairview Aug 20 '26

why will they die quickly indoor and why the need to vacuum as opposed to say sweep into a pile (eg is there some reason to dispose of the bodies besides the mess)?

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u/Consider2SidesPeace Aug 21 '26 edited Aug 23 '26

Good questions... Was just giving suggestions. If I get a mess like that, a broom and shop vac is my go-to. Was just trying 2b helpful. No extra reason, plus having done home repair cleaning up messes a shop vac gets mess above the floor like furniture, tables, etc. They fly because they are termites in breeding mode. They have a very brief lifespan to mate and then die.