What's causing the recent swarms of gamugamo? Kuya Kim explains

Has your home been swarmed by gamugamo lately? You are not alone.

Videos of gamugamo swarming houses and public spaces have made the rounds on social media as of late. One man from Oton, Iloilo, Saf Ferrer, even shared an amusing video of him with the "visitors" in his home.

According to Kuya Kim on "24 Oras," Thursday, these insects are also known as moths, but the ones seen in the videos online are called winged termites.

"There's really no way to stop termites from swarming," said Alhmar Cervantes, an entomologist and pest management professional. "Once they swarm, useless 'yung effort na hulihin mo sila."

He added that these termite alates or swarmers are released by colonies to reproduce.

"Itong mga termite alates or swarmers ay pinapakawalan ng mga colony para mag-reproduce. Lumilipad sila para maghanap ng ka-mate. Kapag may nahanap silang ka-mate, sila ay maghahanap ng lupa para mag establish ng bagong colony," he said.

Kuya Kim also shared that there is no scientific study yet explaining why these insects gravitate towards the light, although entomologists say these insects possibly use light to navigate or as a safety signal when predators are around.

And what about their recent swarming?

It is one sign that summer is over.

"Pinakahihintay ng mga anay na magsisimula na ang wet season kasi sa ganitong time pag nag-swarm sila mas mataas ang moisture at tsaka relative humidity," said Cervantes. "Mas mataas ang chance nila na mag survive."

— CDC, GMA Integrated News