What Are Flying Termites (Kelkatu)?

Flying termites, commonly called kelkatu in Malaysia, are reproductive termites that leave established colonies during swarming events to seek mates and potentially establish new colonies.

Unlike worker termites, these reproductive termites have wings that allow them to disperse.

Key facts about flying termites:

• Purpose:

  Reproduce and potentially establish new termite colonies.

• Appearance:

  Winged insects with two pairs of similarly sized wings.

• Behaviour:

  Often gather around lights during evening swarms.

• After landing:

  Reproductive termites may shed their wings and pair up.

Seeing flying termites does not automatically mean your property has an active infestation, but repeated swarms or indoor activity deserve attention.

Why Do Flying Termites Gather Around Lights?

Many flying termites are attracted to artificial lighting, particularly during evening swarming events.

You may notice them around:

• Outdoor lighting

  Porch lights and outdoor lamps.

• Windows and doors

  Windows and illuminated doorways.

• Indoor lighting

  Ceiling lights near open windows.

• Sheltered areas

  Building entrances and sheltered corridors.

A swarm may originate from a nearby colony, but flying termites alone cannot confirm where that colony is located.

If large numbers repeatedly appear indoors, our professional termite inspection can help identify possible termite activity within or around your property.

Watch Our Flying Termites Educational Video

Our team explains why flying termites should not be ignored and highlights several warning signs that property owners can recognise.

In this video, we explain:

• Attraction to light

  Why flying termites gather around lights.

• Wing shedding

  How reproductive termites shed their wings.

• New colonies

  How paired termites may establish new colonies.

• Warning signs

  What warning signs to look for around walls and building openings.

• Termite inspection

  How suspicious termite activity can be examined during an inspection.

What Happens After Flying Termites Lose Their Wings?

After a swarm, some reproductive termites land, shed their wings and search for suitable partners. If a pair survives and finds favourable conditions, they may begin establishing a new colony.

The process generally involves:

1. 1

   Swarming:

   Winged termites leave an established colony.

2. 2

   Landing:

   They settle in a new location.

3. 3

   Wing shedding:

   Some individuals detach their wings.

4. 4

   Pairing:

   Potential reproductive partners come together.

5. 5

   Colony establishment:

   A surviving pair may establish a new colony.

Not every flying termite survives or successfully establishes a colony. However, discarded wings and repeated indoor swarms are useful reasons to investigate further.

What Should You Do If You Find Flying Termites at Home?

If flying termites appear around your home, do not assume the problem has disappeared once the insects are gone.

We recommend these practical steps:

• Observe:

  Record where and when the insects appear.

• Check:

  Look for discarded wings, mud tubes and suspicious timber damage.

• Document:

  Take photographs of insects or affected areas.

• Avoid disturbance:

  Leave suspected termite pathways intact where practical before inspection.

• Contact our team:

  Arrange an inspection if activity continues or other warning signs appear.

We can help assess the situation and determine whether termite treatment or preventive measures are appropriate.

How We Help Identify and Manage Termite Activity

At Skill Termite Exterminator, we follow our SAPAE process to assess termite concerns and recommend suitable management measures.

1. 1

   Survey:

   We inspect suspected termite activity and vulnerable areas.

2. 2

   Analysis:

   We evaluate visible evidence and property conditions.

3. 3

   Planning:

   We recommend appropriate termite management measures.

4. 4

   Action:

   We carry out suitable treatment or prevention work where required.

5. 5

   Evaluation:

   We review findings and recommend follow-up monitoring when appropriate.

We focus on understanding your property's conditions before recommending a treatment approach. Depending on our inspection findings, we may recommend termite baiting, corrective treatment or suitable preventive measures.

Explore our termite treatment solutions in Malaysia to learn how we help manage existing termite activity and support long-term property protection.

How Can We Help Prevent Future Termite Problems?

Recognising flying termites is an important first step, but preventing future termite activity also matters. We help property owners explore suitable preventive measures based on their building conditions.

Our termite prevention approach includes:

• Property Assessment:

  We identify vulnerable areas and conditions that may encourage termite activity.

• Preventive Recommendations:

  We advise on practical steps to reduce termite entry risks.

• Termguard System:

  For suitable new construction projects, our Termguard Reticulation System provides a replenishable termite management system installed beneath and around the building during construction.

• Follow-Up Monitoring:

  We recommend ongoing monitoring or maintenance where appropriate to support long-term termite management.

Our goal is to help you understand potential termite risks and choose suitable preventive measures before serious damage occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions