Gamu-gamo Driving on Saturday night, the sky was filled with winged insects, like a massive swarm of winged bugs raining down...

Gamu-gamo

Driving on Saturday night, the sky was filled with winged insects, like a massive swarm of winged bugs raining down...

These crazy bugs, which rain down like winged snow across the Philippines every year between May and June, are called Gamu-gamo.

The photo below shows the aftermath the next day.

And below is the result of an AI query.

These are winged termites (Termite Alates/Swarmers), commonly called Gamu-gamo in the Philippines. In Korea, they are often mistaken for "antlions" or "winged ants," but they are actually reproductive termites.

Here's a summary of why these insects appear in large numbers in the Philippines, their characteristics, and how to deal with them.

1. Why do they suddenly appear now?

• A Sign of the Rainy Season: In the Philippines, they primarily emerge in large numbers during the rainy season (May to October), especially on hot and humid evenings after rain during the day.

• Nuptial Flight: When their existing colony becomes saturated, they leave their nests to form new colonies, flying towards lights.

2. Key Characteristics and Dangers

• Attracted to Light: They aggressively fly towards bright lights such as streetlights, signs, and indoor fluorescent lights.

• Shedding Wings: After landing at their destination or mating, they shed their wings themselves and crawl around. This is why you see wings and bodies separated and scattered in the photos.

• The Real Danger (Wood Damage): Once a pair of wingless males and females find a crack in the ground or wall, especially inside wooden structures, they form a new termite colony. If they establish themselves within wooden elements of your home (furniture, door frames, ceilings, etc.), they can hollow out the interior, causing severe structural damage even if the exterior appears intact.

3. Effective Measures and Extermination Methods

⚠️ Immediate Actions (Preventing Entry Indoors)

• Turn Off Lights and Close Curtains: If they start flying into your home, the first step is to turn off all indoor lights or close blackout curtains to prevent light from escaping outside. Instead, turn on lights outside (on the terrace or in the yard) to lure them in that direction.

• Secure Windows and Doors: Check for any gaps in window screens and close them thoroughly.

The conclusion is that they are reproductive termites... yikes. There are also those termite guys who eat wood and build mud nests, but I'll cover them next time...