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Quick Answer
There are a few key differences that allow you to distinguish between flying ants and termites:
- Antennae – Flying ants have elbowed antennae while termites have straight antennae.
- Wings – Flying ants have four wings of unequal length. Termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in size.
- Waist – Flying ants have a defined thin waist. Termites have a broad waist.
- Swarming – Flying ants swarm during mating seasons. Termites swarm when a colony splits.
If you see winged insects emerging from your home or garden, look closely at their antennae, wings, waist, and swarming patterns. This will allow you to determine whether you have flying ants or termites. Proper identification is key for effective pest management.
Flying Ants vs Termites
Flying ants and termites may look similar at first glance because they both have wings and swarm at certain times. However, they are different insect species with some distinguishing features:
Antennae
Flying ants have elbowed antennae that bend at a 90 degree angle. Their antenna segments are also uneven in width. Termites have straight antennae that do not bend. Their antenna segments are uniform in width.
Wings
Flying ants have four wings that are unequal in size. The front pair of wings is much longer than the hind pair. Termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in length. Their fore and hind wings are the same size.
Waist
Flying ants have a slim, defined waist. It almost looks as if their thorax is being pinched. Termites do not have such a narrow waist. They have a much broader connection between the thorax and abdomen.
Swarming
Flying ants swarm during mating seasons to breed and establish new colonies. This happens in the spring and summer months. Termites swarm when an existing colony becomes overpopulated and splits into a secondary colony. Termite swarms can occur year-round in warmer climates.
Identifying Flying Ants
Here are some key details about flying ants that can help identify them:
- Blackish-brown color
- Elbowed antennae
- Four uneven wings
- Swarm during mating seasons
- Narrow defined waist
- Large eyes
- Front legs longer than hind legs
Flying ants are everywhere around the world but some of the most common species in North America include:
- Carpenter ants
- Pavement ants
- Cornfield ants
- Acrobat ants
- Odorous house ants
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants get their name because they excavate wood to form nest galleries. They nest in dead trees, logs, or wooden structures. Swarms occur in the daytime. Workers are polymorphic, meaning they vary greatly in size from a few millimeters to 2 cm in length. They can be identified by a single node between the thorax and abdomen.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants nest under stones, pavement, or debris in soil. Swarming happens at night. This species is two-toned with the head and thorax reddish-brown and the abdomen darker brown to black. Workers are around 1/10 to 1/5 inch long.
Cornfield Ants
Cornfield ants prefer to build mounds in agricultural fields. Nests contain up to 200,000 workers. They swarm during the day when the mating flight begins. These ants are dark brown to blackish overall. Workers range from 1/8 to 3/8 inches in length.
Acrobat Ants
Acrobat ants get their name from their ability to raise the abdomen over the thorax and head. They nest in soil but also inside logs and dead trees. Swarming happens in the early morning. Workers are monomorphic in size, measuring around 1/10 inch.
Odorous House Ants
As the name suggests, odorous house ants tend to invade homes and release a rotten, chemical odor when crushed. They swarm starting in early to late spring. Workers are around 1/16 inch long and uniform brown or black.
Identifying Termites
Here are the main features that can help identify flying termites:
- Pale yellowish-brown color
- Straight, beaded antennae
- Two pairs of equal wings
- Broad waist
- Swarm when colonies split
- Small eyes
- Legs more uniform in size
Some of the most common termite species with swarmers include:
- Subterranean termites
- Dampwood termites
- Drywood termites
- Conehead termites
- Desert dampwood termites
Subterranean Termites
Subterranean termites live underground and travel in mud tubes to find food sources. Swarmers emerge inside structures through cracks in foundations. Two common species are Reticulitermes and Coptotermes. They have hairy bodies and worker termites are cream-colored.
Dampwood Termites
As the name suggests, dampwood termites need moist, decaying wood to thrive. They swarm from infested trees and wooden structures. Workers have yellow heads and cream bodies. Swarmers emerge during the day.
Drywood Termites
Drywood termites infest dry, sound wood and do not need external moisture. Common species include Cryptotermes and Incisitermes. Workers are pale cream-colored, while swarmers are larger with dusky brown wings.
Conehead Termites
Conehead termites get their name from the cone-shaped heads. They infest wooden structures. Swarmers emerge in the early spring and have hairy wings. Workers have yellowish heads and pale bodies.
Desert Dampwood Termites
As the name suggests, these termites thrive in drier climates and infest damp wood. Paraneotermes simplicicornis is a common species. Swarmers emerge in the daytime in the spring. Workers have yellow heads and pale bodies.
When Do Flying Ants and Termites Swarm?
| Insect | Swarming Season |
|---|---|
| Flying Ants | Spring and Summer (mating flight) |
| Termites | Year-round in warm climates (colony splitting) |
The swarming patterns of flying ants and termites provide another clue for identification:
– Flying ants swarm during mating seasons in spring and summer to breed and establish new colonies
– Termites swarm when the colony gets too large and splits into a secondary colony. This can happen year-round in warm climates.
Flying ant swarms are focused on reproduction. Termite swarms happen because of overcrowding and the need to relocate. Keep this key difference in mind when you see swarmers emerge.
Do Flying Ants and Termites Bite?
Flying ants and termites do not bite or sting. While foraging worker ants can bite and worker termites can bite if handled, the swarmers of both species do not have mandibles capable of biting humans or pets. Swarmers are focused on breeding and dispersing from the colony – they are not looking for a food source. Rest assured that flying ants and termites encountered outdoors will not bite.
Signs of an Infestation
Seeing flying ants or termites indoors is a sign that a nest may be inside the home. Here are some other clues of an infestation:
Ants
- Sawdust or debris piles if carpenter ants
- Rotting wood damage
- Trails of workers foraging for food
- Winged ants emerging from cracks
- Frass deposits or soil spilling from cracks
Termites
- Mud tubes on foundation walls
- Hollowed wood damage
- Discarded termite wings
- Frass in fecal pellets
- Swarmers emerging indoors
Take swarming inside the home very seriously. It likely means there is a termite colony or ant nest established within the structure requiring professional pest control. An inspection can determine how established the infestation is and if treatment is required.
Preventing Indoor Swarms
Here are some tips to help prevent flying ants and termites from entering and swarming indoors:
- Seal cracks in the foundation and openings around windows/doors
- Ensure there are no moisture issues allowing pests to thrive
- Store firewood and lumber away from the structure
- Keep rain gutters clear and overflowing
- Trim back vegetation touching the home
- Have a professional apply a perimeter pesticide treatment
- Schedule regular inspections of susceptible areas
This can help make the home less inviting to foraging ants and termites. Pest-proofing is beneficial for preventing infestations from developing and swarmers from entering.
Professional Pest Control
If there are signs of an active flying ant or termite infestation in the home, it is best to have a professional pest control company inspect and provide treatment. They can:
- Accurately identify the pest species
- Locate the nest or colony
- Apply targeted insecticide treatments
- Recommend preventive measures
- Provide advice on repairing damage
Treatment often requires specialized expertise and insecticide applications that professionals have. Attempting DIY treatment can risk spreading the infestation. Leave it to the pros for effective elimination.
Conclusion
Distinguishing between flying ants and termites comes down to a few key differences in their appearance and behaviors:
- Antennae – Straight vs elbowed
- Wings – Two equal pairs vs two unequal pairs
- Waist – Broad vs narrow pinched waist
- Swarming – Random vs seasonal
Take note when flying insects emerge in your home or garden. Identifying them correctly as winged ants, winged termites, or something else entirely will allow you to take appropriate action for management and control. If in doubt, enlist a pest control professional for an accurate diagnosis.