How can I tell if those are flying ants or termites swarming at the foundation of my house?


Ant alate
  • Ants have a thin waist (a narrow area between the thorax and first abdominal segment). 
  • Front pair of wings is larger than the hind pair. 
  • Wings have few veins and are usually clear.

Termite alate
  • Termite thorax and abdomen are broadly connected. 
  • Four wings are approximately the same size and shape. 
  • Wings have many veins and may be milky-colored.
Anatomical differences between ant alate (top) and termite alate (bottom).  Drawings courtesy of University of Florida Extension. 

If the insects are ants or termites, you will see a number of winged individuals present in the mass of insects. These individuals are the unmated queens and kings of the colony that disperse to establish new insect colonies. Capture a couple of these winged individuals in the swarm and look for the three distinctive differences between termites and ants.

“Swarming” is a term often used by entomologists to describe the forming and departing of a mass of individuals from an insect colony. In addition to ants and termites, bees, wasps and yellowjackets may swarm.

In the area of the swarm, look for evidence of insect-damaged wood. Most ant species do not damage wood, but a few species prefer to nest in soft wood that has been damaged by water or that is in the process of breaking down or rotting. Ants do not eat wood but will chew tunnels and chambers within the wood itself, so look for signs of sawdust under the damaged wood.

Most termite species also prefer soft or water-damaged wood, but some species will infest dry, undecayed wood as well. Unlike ants, termites will eat wood. Look for darkening or blistering of wooden structures, and look for claylike tubes or tunnels leading from the soil to the wooden structure.

If you determine that the swarm is termites or you find evidence of termite damage to any wooden structures, it is advisable to hire a pest management professional as soon as possible. If you determine that the swarm is ants and you find evidence of ant damage or sawdust under any wooden structure, you may also want to hire a pest management professional.

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