Termite Awareness Week: Termite Swarmers vs Flying Ants

Every year, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) sponsors Termite Awareness Week. They created this week to bring public awareness to the damage wood-eating insects can cause, including flying termites.

We are partnering with the NPMA to educate our customers and community on the difference between termite swarmers (termites with wings) and flying ants (or ant swarmers). We’ve also included some prevention tips and signs of an infestation that homeowners should be aware of.

Termite Swarmers

Termite swarmers, or alates, are reproductive termites that leave their colonies to start new ones. These winged insects usually appear in spring when temperatures reach about 70 degrees. Rainfall can also cause them to swarm.

You can identify termite swarmers by looking for these features:

• Antennae: Straight and bead-like
• Wings: Two sets of equal length that extend beyond the body
• Waist: Broad and uniform with the rest of the body
• Color: Usually pale or translucent, though some species appear darker

After mating, termite swarmers shed their wings and start building a new colony. You might see piles of wings near windowsills, doors, or other entry points. This is a clear sign of termite activity. Unlike flying ants, termites leave behind more wings in one place after finding a good spot to nest.

Seeing termite swarmers does not always mean you have an active infestation inside your home. However, it does show that termites are nearby and looking for new places to settle.

Ant Swarmers

Flying ants, also called ant swarmers, are reproductive ants that leave their colonies to mate and start new nests. They may look like termites at first, but there are some important differences:

• Antennae: Bent or elbowed
• Wings: Two sets of unequal length, larger front wings and smaller hind wings
• Waist: Narrow, pinched, hourglass-shaped waist
• Color: Typically dark brown or black

Flying ants usually appear during warmer months and are often found near windows and lights. They can shed their wings, but not in large piles like termites do. Ant swarmers are usually less of a concern for structural damage, but some types, like carpenter ants, can still cause issues by hollowing out wood for their nests.

How To Tell The Difference Between Flying Ants And Termites

What do termites look like? On the ground, they’re generally white, unlike ants. Flying termites or swarmers are also called “alates.” Many homeowners mistake termite alates for flying ants and vice versa. To identify whether you have flying ants versus termites, look for three distinct differences:

• Discarded wings: Termite alates use their wings to scout new locations for colonies. Once their colonies are established and they have mated, they no longer need their wings and shed them. While flying ants can discard wings, termites do so in higher concentrations

• Waist size: Flying ants have narrow, defined, hourglass-shaped waists, whereas termites have broad waists that are uniform with the rest of their body

• Length of wings: Termites have two sets of wings that are equal in length. Flying ants have larger front wings and smaller hind wings that are unequal in length

• Antenna: Flying ants have straight antennae, while termites’ antennae are bent

Why Termites Fly

Termite Swarmers are reproductive male and female termites in search of new locations to form a colony. They’re most abundant in the spring and show up early when temperatures reach about 70 degrees. Rain can also be a factor, and alates are likely to fly after rainfall.

Do Swarming Termites Mean Infestation?

Seeing termite swarmers around your property does not always mean you have an active infestation inside your home. However, it is a warning sign you should not ignore.

Swarmers might be coming from a nearby colony, such as in a neighbor's yard, a tree stump, or landscape timber. Still, their presence indicates that termites are reproducing in your area and seeking new places to settle. Your home could be at risk

What Are the Signs of a Termite Infestation?

Here are signs that may indicate an existing termite infestation:

• Mud tubes: Pencil-width tunnels along foundation walls, floor joists, or other wooden structures
• Hollow-sounding wood: Tap on wooden surfaces; if they sound hollow, termites may have eaten away the interior
• Peeling or bubbling paint: Can resemble water damage, but may indicate termite activity beneath
• Discarded wings: Large piles near entry points suggest swarmers have entered your home
• Frass or droppings: Small, pellet-like droppings near wooden structures
• Squeaky or sagging floors: May indicate structural damage from long-term termite activity

Termites can cause significant damage to wooden structures, often working quietly for months or even years before anyone notices. Since most homeowners' insurance does not cover termite damage, it is important to catch problems early and take steps to prevent them.

If you see swarmers or other signs of termites, contact us for a professional inspection. Our technicians will inspect your property, look for termite activity, and recommend a treatment plan to help protect your home.

How To Prevent Termites

If you’ve seen flying termites near your property, it’s important to take steps to stop them in their tracks. Here are tips, provided by the NPMA, to keep them at bay and help you identify them quickly before they become a bigger issue.

• Step 1: Keep basements and crawlspaces well ventilated and dry.
• Step 2: Inspect your home regularly for mud tubes, rotting wood and uneven or bubbling paint.
• Step 3: Maintain an 18-inch gap between the soil and any wood portions of your home.
• Step 4: Store firewood at least 5 inches off the ground and 20 feet from the home.
• Step 5: Consider partnering with a professional pest control company, such as Gregory Pest Control, for annual termite inspections. Damage caused by wood-boring insects is typically not covered by home insurance.

Facts About Swarmers

Both termite and ant swarmers play a big role in helping their colonies survive and grow. Understanding their behavior can help you know what to do next:

Swarming season: Termites usually swarm in the spring, especially after rain. Ants can swarm at any time during the warmer months. The timing depends on your location and local weather.

Short-lived events: Swarming usually lasts less than an hour. The insects come out, mate, and then either start new colonies or die if they don’t find the right conditions.

Attraction to light: Both pests are drawn to light, so you’ll often spot them near windows, doors, and outdoor lights.

Professional identification: If you’re not sure which pest you have, collect a few samples and book a free pest inspection. Our technicians can quickly identify the species and recommend what to do next.

Ant Swarmers vs Termite Swarmers Vs. Your Home

If you discover any type of flying or burrowing pest in your home, Gregory Pest Solutions can eliminate them. We’ve helped satisfied customers beat termites and flying ants in South Carolina. Call or contact us today for residential and commercial termite solutions and for relief from these destructive and obnoxious pests.