While they may look similar to the untrained eye, flying ants and swarming termites have many differences, especially when it comes to the damage they can do to your home. Treatments for these two different pests vary greatly, so it’s important for homeowners to be able to tell the difference between them. In this article, we’ll break down the differences between these insects and let you know what you should do about them if you discover them in or around your property!

Flying Ant Characteristics

Flying ants, also called “alates”, are sexually mature ants. The main purpose of these ants within their colonies is to reproduce. These ants are commonly found in wood, whether it be dry, damp, or rotting. While these ants are commonly found in wood, they do not eat it, meaning they are unlikely to cause structural damage to your home. Flying ants are omnivores, typically feeding on nectar, other insects, crumbs, and other debris around your home. One of the easiest ways to tell the difference between flying ants and swarming termites is to look at their wing sizes. Flying ants have four wings, with the front pair being noticeably larger than the back pair. Swarming termites also have four wings but they are all the same size.

Swarming Termite Characteristics

Much like with flying ants, swarming termites are the reproductive members of a termite colony. Swarmers aren’t the termites that cause damage to your home, but their presence indicates that the ones that do, worker termites, are likely close by. The presence of a termite colony can cause tens of thousands of dollars worth of damage to the structure of your home or building. For this reason, it’s crucial to be able to ascertain the difference between swarming termites and flying ants. Swarming termites have wings that are easily broken, meaning they often leave wings scattered throughout a home that they are living in. Swarming termites also have straight, beaded antennas, while flying ants have kinks in their antennas.

Contact Pied Piper Pest Control!

If you have any questions about the differences between these two insects or believe that you may have an infestation in your New Orleans area home or building, contact Pied Piper Pest Control right away! Our team has years of experience dealing with these dangerous pests and can prevent them from causing thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home! Give us a call today at (504) 366-1333 or fill out the contact form on our website, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!