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Turn Off the Lights! Why are Gamo Gamos Attracted to Light?

gamo gamo attracted to light

During the rainy season, some homes may have winged insects flying around their porch lights. These flying creatures can either be moths, which are harmless, or gamo gamos, which can be indicative of a nearby termite colony – a danger to your home’s structural integrity. Why? Because gamu gamo in English is flying termite.

Compared to the usual termites, these flying termites don’t hide in dark damp places eating away at any wood they find. These insects can be found circling lights both indoors and outdoors when it’s humid. 

If you’ve ever wondered what attracts these insects to the light, we answer this question in this article. 

Is gamo gamo a termite? Yes, they are. Gamo gamos are also called flying termites, alates, or swarmers.

Flying termites are termites at a specific stage of their life cycle, which is the reproductive stage. When a termite colony matures, it produces alates, and these insects gather in swarms to try and establish new colonies. 

The wings of gamo gamos allow them to fly short distances to find a mate. Once they find a mate from another colony, they shed their wings and start a new colony together – which is obviously not good for homeowners.

So, if you see gamo gamos circling your outdoor lights, it may be time to contact anay control services because these flying termites serve as a warning that there’s a full-blown termite infestation near your home.

flying termites or gamo gamo stuck to the wall

One of the most common causes for flying termites appearing is the weather. Gamo gamos tend to come out of hiding after some heavy rainfall when it’s most humid. These insects thrive in humid environments, which is why a lot of people from the Philippines see these insects around the year.

The flying termite is characterized by its straight antenna, straight waist, and equal sized wings. If the bug you find flying around your light doesn’t fit the bill, then you’re not at risk for termites making your home theirs.

With termites, early detection is the key to preventing a full on infestation. So, if you see any of these critters in your home. You may need to call for professional help. 

Because termites live most of their life in darkness, it can be surprising to hear that flying termites or alates are drawn to light sources. Research published in the Royal Entomological Society shows that termites use light as an environmental cue to form mating pairs, but it’s not used to locate them nor coordinate their movements. So, to a certain degree, flying termites use light as a navigation aid during their flight.

Additionally, because termites are light-sensitive the lights can also leave them disoriented. This is why flying termites tend to swarm light erratically.

The presence of flying termites in your home can be a telltale sign that there may be a mature termite colony nearby, which means that your home is in danger. 

If these winged termites find a mate and start laying eggs in your home, then you may just have new residents inhabiting your property. Remember that termites love wood, so these insects will start eating the wooden properties of your home, which can mess with its structural integrity.

This is why we recommend that you call professionals to help you manage possible termite infestations before they destroy your home.

gamo gamo crowding the light

Now that you know what termites are and why they’re attracted to light, we recommend that you brush up on your knowledge on how to get rid of gamo gamo, so that if you ever find flying termites around your home, you’ll know what to do. 

But, even if you resolve your flying termite conundrum, the best course of action is to call a qualified pest control company like TOPBEST to inspect your home. Calling a professional pest control company can be a great way to protect your home from these insects. The pest control company can locate the source of the infestation and recommend a treatment plan if they find termites on your property.

TOPBEST is an accredited pest control company that’s been in the business for over 20 years. We pride ourselves on being one of the most trusted pest control service providers in the Philippines.

Trust the experts with your home. Book a free consultation with us today!

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