Spring Swarmers: How to Tell Termites from Ants
This spring, you’ll likely see many signs of nature waking up – bluebonnets blooming, birds singing, and bugs swarming the air. Among these pests, one you’ll want to watch closely for is the termite, especially their flying swarmers. These wood-destroying insects are particularly active in spring, and early detection can save you thousands of dollars in home repairs.
However, to the untrained eye, it can be difficult to determine a termite swarmer from an ant swarmer. In this article, we’ll introduce you to two common types of termites to keep on your radar and go over the differences between ants and termites.
What are Termites?
Termites, which are small, wood-destroying insects, are made up of over 2,000 species. Termite swarmers are reproductive termites with wings scouting for a new home. Two of the most common termites are Eastern subterranean termites and formosan termites, both of which Angel Pest Control treats for.
Eastern Subterranean Termites
- These termites live underground and are the most widespread species across North America.
- They build mud tubes to travel between their nests and food sources.
- Swarmers are about 3/8 of an inch long, with dark bodies and brownish-grey wings.
Formosan Termites
- A more aggressive species originally from China, Formosan termites can cause serious structural damage quickly.
- Like Eastern subterranean termites, they also build mud tubes for protection and moisture control.
- Their swarmers are larger, about half an inch in size, and feature a honey-brown color.
- They are highly attracted to light sources, making nighttime sightings more common.
Ants vs Termites: How to Tell the Difference
At a glance, termite and ant swarmers may look similar, but a few key features can help you tell them apart:
Flying Ants
- Bent antennae
- Pinched waist (similar to an hourglass figure)
- Front wings are longer than back wings
- Do not shed their wings as quickly as termite swarmers
- Can swarm in spring, but more often in late summer and early fall depending on the species
Termite Swarmers
- Straight antennae
- Broad, thick waist (uniform body width)
- Wings of equal length
- Shed their wings quickly – keep a lookout for discarded wings on windowsills, doors, or near light sources
- Tend to emerge in the spring after a warm rain and prefer humid, warm conditions
Professional Termite Solutions with Angel Pest Control
If you see swarmers and identify them as termites, don’t panic. Instead, reach out to the local experts to assess the situation. Our technicians can determine if your home is at risk or if the termites were just passing through.
Angel Pest Control offers both preventive and active termite control services, including:
- Liquid barrier treatments
- Sentricon® baiting systems (an eco-friendly, non-invasive way to eliminate termite colonies)
For more information on Sentricon and our other termite treatments, visit our residential termite control or commercial termite control page, depending on your needs.
Give Angel Pest Control a call at (830) 379-3277 to schedule your inspection today and protect your home from costly termite damage!
