Termites
Termites – The Silent Destroyers (Also Known as White Ants)
Termites are often mistakenly called “white ants,” but they are not ants at all – they are highly organised, wood-eating insects that have been on earth for over 120 million years. In South Africa we have more than 20 species, but the most destructive to homes are the subterranean termites
A single colony can contain anything from 100,000 to over 2 million individuals and consume up to 15 kg of timber per year. They never sleep, never stop eating, and can collapse an entire roof structure without any visible warning from the outside.
How termites enter ANY home – brick, stone, or steel
Termites do not need big holes. They exploit the tiniest weaknesses:
- Cracks in foundations and slabs
- Expansion joints and construction joints
- Gaps around water pipes, electrical conduits, and sewer lines
- Weep holes that have lost their mesh
- Behind retaining walls and garden beds built against the house
- Through cavities in double-brick walls or under dry-wall partitioning
- Up the inside of exterior walls using mud shelter tubes hidden behind skirting or plaster
Because they avoid light and work from the inside out, damage is usually extensive by the time it is noticed.
The one time you WILL see them: Swarmers (incorrectly called “flying ants”)
On warm, humid evenings after the first summer rains (usually October–March in KZN ), mature colonies release hundreds or thousands of reproductive termite swarmers (alates).
These winged adults are dark brown to black, 10–14 mm long, and swarm at dusk, often attracted to lights. After a short flight they shed their wings (you’ll find piles of discarded wings on window sills, floors,
Finding swarmers or wings inside the house is a red-flag emergency if your windows are closed – it means therecould be an active colony directly under your building.
How to tell a Termite Swarmer from a real Flying Ant (side-by-side comparison)
| Feature | Termite Swarmer | Flying Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Straight, bead-like | Elbowed (bent) |
| Waist | Thick, no obvious waist | Pinched, narrow waist |
| Wings | Four wings all same length | Front wings longer than back |
| Colour | Dark brown to black | Often reddish or black |
If in doubt, collect a few in a jar and send us a photo – we’ll identify them instantly.
Classic signs of hidden termite activity
- Mud shelter tubes (sometimes as thin as a pencil) running up foundation walls, inside cupboards, or across brickwork
- Hollow-sounding timber when tapped – skirting boards, door frames, window sills, roof trusses
- Ripples, blisters, or sinking in painted surfaces (the termites eat the wood but leave the paint layer)
- Sudden buckling of hardwood floors or sagging ceilings with no visible water damage
We cover Pietermaritzburg, Howick, Hilton, Midlands, Mooi River, Nottingham Road, Boston, and the entire KZN Midlands.
Don’t wait for the roof to sag or the floor to collapse. If you’ve seen swarmers, wings, mud tubes, or have any suspicious hollow-sounding wood, contact SWAT Exterminators immediately for a professional termite inspection
One call today can save your home tomorrow. Phone or WhatsApp us now – we’re here to protect your biggest investment from the silent white army.
Termite Queen
Opening to Termite Nest
