Video: Massive swarm of termites appear in night sky, and it's actually more common than you'd think
Termite swarms are a pretty common occurrence in Louisiana, but the sight is not an easy one to prepare for.
A sheriff’s deputy encounters a swarm of millions of termites
TERMITE TAKEOVER 🪲: What appears to be millions of termites swarm through the New Orleans metro area on Tuesday, as a sheriff's deputy captured the moment while on patrol overnight.
ABITA SPRINGS, La. – Members of a local sheriff’s office encountered unusual conditions on the road this week when they saw a huge swarm of termites flying around in Louisiana.
First responders are ready for almost anything while on the job. Still, there isn’t much that could prepare anyone for a humongous swarm of termites flying through the area.
That's what happened in Abita Springs, Louisiana, on Tuesday.
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Footage shared by Deputy Justin Blackwell captured what he jokingly described to be six billion termites swarming through the New Orleans metro area overnight. It's almost like a scene out of a movie.
Approximately 6 billion termites swarm through the area in Louisiana.
(Deputy Justin Blackwell / St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office)
According to the City of New Orleans, the most common termite in the region is the Formosan subterranean termite, introduced to the U.S. after World War II from Eastern Asia via infested wooden cargo crates.
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It is estimated that these termite colonies can consist of one to four million, which makes sense when you look at the footage from the sheriff’s office.
Termite swarms are a pretty common occurrence in Louisiana, but the sight is not an easy one to prepare for.
Close-up of termites actively consuming and damaging a piece of wood, highlighting the destructive nature of these insects and the threat they pose to wooden structures
(Getty Images)
The Louisiana State University Ag Center said the Formosan subterranean termites swarm and spread colonies around Mother's Day every year. The swarm season for this termite starts as early as April and lasts through June, with a peak in early to mid-May.
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This type of termite is an invasive species and the most destructive structural pest in the state of Louisiana. Termite infestations cost an estimated $1 billion a year in property damages, repairs and control measures, according to the USDA.