Termites Versus Flying Ants

What’s the difference between flying ants and termites? Do all ants have wings, or just some of them ?

Determining whether you have flying ants, or winged termites is important in how you treat the problem. Some flying winged ants resemble the winged-swarming termite. Here are some ways to identify the difference between ants and termites While both species have four wings, termite wings are uniform in size. Winged ants have noticeably larger wings in the front than the pair in the back. Termites antennae are almost straight where the ant’s antennae “elbows”.Termite wings are twice as long as their body. Ant wings are shorter and more proportionate to their bodies.Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin waist. Termites have a broad waist and are mostly a uniform width along their entire body. When flying ants or termite swarmers appear, it is often as a swarm. If the swarm happens at night, you’ll see both of these insects flying around a nearby streetlight or exterior lights on your home. Light leaking out of your windows will also draw them in. This attraction to light is also why you will most often find these two insects crawling on the inside of your windows. They are trying to get to the sunlight outside. When this happens, you should also know that this is a strong indication that you have a mature ant or termite nest inside your home. If you’re seeing lots of winged insects, and you are not inclined to get up close and personal, you can often tell which of these pests you are looking at by whether or not there are ants crawling around nearby or in their midst. When ant and termite swarmers mate, they lose their wings. But you’re not likely to see wingless termites walking around with winged termites. They will be tucked away inside the wood. That is why the presence of ants is a sign that you’re looking at flying ants. It is also highly unlikely that winged termites will be hanging out with wingless ants.

 

 

Termites Versus Flying Ants

Introduction

It’s that time of year, folks. Spring has sprung, the weather is getting warmer and life is returning to the great outdoors. Unfortunately, that includes termites. Yes, come springtime you’ll begin to notice a lot more bug activity around your home—and if you’re not careful, some of those bugs can cause a lot of damage. Many people confuse termites with flying ants because both species have large numbers of bugs swarming simultaneously at this time of year. But there are key differences between these insects and knowing them could save you from having to spend thousands on termite extermination services later this summer. So pay attention: I’m about to explain how their anatomies differ so that you’ll be able to tell the difference between termites and flying ants in the future.

Winged termites are called alates.

Winged termites are called alates. Alates are winged reproductive forms of most ant, bee and wasp species. Each colony has one or more queens that produce diploid daughters (female workers) by laying eggs which develop into nymphs and then emerge as adults (winged males or winged females). These new adults are sometimes called swarmers because they leave the parent colony in a group at certain times of year to mate and start new colonies elsewhere.

Some ants also have this behavior; however, ants belong to a different order from bees, wasps and termites (Hymenoptera vs. Apocrita). You can tell which insects are social by looking for wings: if an insect has wings it is probably not a true bug!

Worker ants have antennae with elbowed segments, while termite antennae are straight.

• Ants have antennae with elbowed segments, while termite antennae are straight.
• Termites have a narrow waist, whereas ants’ waists are broad.
• Ants have two sets of wings that are equal in size, while termite wings are of unequal length, appearing “lopsided.”

Winged ants have two sets of wings that are equal in size, while termite wings are of unequal length, appearing “lopsided.”

Termites have two sets of wings that are equal in size, while winged ants have unequal-sized wings. The thorax is the section just behind the head and contains three pairs of legs, while the abdomen is behind the thorax and has only one pair of legs. Winged ants have one set of smaller front wings, called tegmina, and another pair of much larger hindwings.

Termite wings are shorter than their bodies; they are longer than either body parts: thorax or abdomen (or both).

Ants have a narrow waist, whereas termites’ waists are broad.

Ants have a narrow waist, whereas termites’ waists are broad.

To determine the difference between ants and termites, you must examine the general characteristics of each insect. Termites have a broad waist and ants do not.

Termite swarming season runs from February to May, which is when their presence is most easily detected.

• The swarming season for termites runs from February to May, which is when their presence is most easily detected.
• Swarming is a sign of a healthy colony. Termites swarm when the queen becomes fertile and lays eggs to begin the next generation. Most colonies will swarm once every two years, but some can do so as often as three or four times in a single year.
• When termites swarm, they leave behind damaged wood and piles of debris (called “frass”) that indicate an infestation may be present in your home or business structure.

Conclusion

If you notice a large number of swarming insects around your property, it is essential to identify them as quickly as possible. If you are not sure whether you are dealing with termites or flying ants, our pest control specialists can accurately identify the insects and help determine if they pose a threat. They can also provide treatment services to eradicate an infestation and prevent future infestations from developing. If you see signs of termite activity on your property, it is important to have an inspection performed right away, especially if this is your first time encountering them.