<p>The termite flight is essential for the establishment of new colonies, and alates sampling can complement active searching, which are focused on sterile castes. However, there is still no consensus on the most effective method for collecting termite alates. This study evaluated the effectiveness of three types of traps in capturing these reproductives: light traps (LT), flight interception traps (FIT), and ground tray traps (GTT), which are based on different capture techniques. Sampling was conducted over a 25-week period during the rainy season in a Caatinga area in Northeastern Brazil. Comparisons among traps were based on capture rate, sample coverage, species richness, association between species and capture method (IndVal), and changes in species composition (Mantel). Considering a single sampling unit, light traps (LT) showed the highest capture rates and species richness, being particularly effective for Kalotermitidae, followed by flight interception traps (FIT) which also yielded high capture numbers. In contrast, ground tray traps (GTT) captured fewer individuals but showed the greatest efficiency (species per individual), achieving the highest overall species richness when the number of sampling points increased. Finally, species composition was not significantly affected by the distance between traps. We conclude that light traps (LT) are the ideal choice for maximizing captures in biodiversity surveys with limited resources, whereas ground tray traps (GTT) offer greater versatility for addressing broader ecological questions, such as density estimates.</p>