Both types of insects swarm in the springtime, and both sprout wings during swarming season. One major confusing when comparing ants and termites is the issue of winged, flying ants and winged termite swarmers. When the bug is standing relatively still, look for these characteristics. Ants are insects that are related to bees and wasps. How do you tell the difference between flying ants and termites? So, before we can answer the question, “How can I get rid of flying ants?” we must know how to identify the differences between flying ants vs. termites. The physical characteristics of termites vs. flying ants are noticeable to someone who knows what to look for. It’s important to know the difference between flying ants and flying termites as each poses a different threat, and require different treatments. You will find it more difficult to tell the difference between termites and flying ants if you have winged termites around your home. Ants vs. Termites. They are similar in their purpose. Termites are small insects with a straight waist, straight antennae, and usually a white or translucid colour. Both ants and termites can develop wings, and immediately become more of a problem. Flying ants are different than flying termites. Flying Ants vs Termites. Termites Vs. This is another difference between ants and termites. Flying Termites VS Termite Swarmers. Let’s start with the physical difference between flying ants and flying termites: An ant will have a pinched waist that is easily recognized. The ones who get confused the most are the swarming termites and the flying ants. They are also often confused for each other, as they look quite similar as swarmers. Any ant can be a flying ant and flying termites and ants are called swarmers, flying ants and termites are a reproductive cast of the colony and the term swarmers could be applied to ether insect. Flying ants vs. termites: What to look for Many people wonder about the difference between flying ants vs termites because both insects look very similar.Flying carpenter ants, though, have a pinched waist, three distinct body sections, curved (“elbowed”) antennae, and two sets of differently sized wings that are pointed: large front wings and smaller back wings. In this guide, you’ll get to know the differences between the two insects. The sight of swarming insects is enough to alarm any homeowner. It can be disturbing. Both termites and flying ants will develop wings to fly away and form new colonies. Flying ants usually are more of a nuisance than they are harmful. Flying termites vs flying ants. But some available distinct differences will assist you in deciding the kind of pest control you wish to want to visit your house. Personally, I would be more wary of … Flying ants vs termites – the two insects look quite a bit alike at a glance, but spend a couple of moments looking more closely, and you’ll see that these insects have many differences. Although they resemble each other in colour, size, and their general shape, there are indeed differences. flying termite vs flying ant . Termite Swarmers are young king and queen termites. After all, carpenter ants and termites are known to eat away at buildings and cause structural damage. Also, ants go through four stages of development. Identify termite or ant damage to find the best pest control method. Regarding body shape, termites are also more uniform, whereas flying ants typically appear to be … 1. Termites, however, can be destructive to houses and other structures and can lead to a more serious problem. Confusing flying termites with flying ants is one thing and with other flying insects such as midges or fruit flies, is another. Your home’s structure might encounter some problems if you’ve mistakenly identified a flying termite as a flying ant. Only by identifying which pests are present that you would be able to … Often mistaken for flying ants, termite swarmers or winged termites are part of the reproductive caste of the colony. Treatments for flying ants usually costs considerably less money than a termite treatment. Because of these similarities, many people can’t tell them apart. Flying Ants. In such a case, the insects will appear the same and you must look keenly to identify the key differences. Termites only want to bite wood. A carpenter ant treatment is very different from a termite treatment, so it’s important to know which one is nesting in or around your home. Flying Ants – Unlike termites, both participating insects do not survive. Flying Ants or Termites? Flying ants are often mistaken for winged termites. Ant workers live for months, not years, and the queen can live for several years. Flying Ants vs Termites. Ant & Termite Appearance . Flying Ants Vs. Termites. Termites inflict approximately $30 billion (US dollars) of physical damage a year and that harm being particularly pernicious because termites eat wood which can quickly undermine the structural integrity of any structure in which they nest. They are second, though, to the dangers of termites! Termites Vs. Learn the key differences of a flying ant vs. termite with our pictures of flying ants and termites. Both the ant and the termite have two sets of wings, four in total. Termites … Though they look similar, flying ants or otherwise known as carpenter ants, and termites entirely belong to two orders of insects. Eliminating termites, on the other hand, uses a different method of pest control. Flying termites vs flying ants – How you can tell the difference. Flying ants and termites appear to look alike from an outward perspective. Pest Control for Flying Ants and Termites. However, people are way more concerned with getting rid of termite infestations than getting rid of flying ants. First of all, you need to learn whether what you’re seeing are actually termites, or if they are ants. Flying Ants vs. Termites – In-Depth Pest Control. Flying ants vs termites . Pests cause disarray throughout the home and eat away at interiors and important structures. In reality, there is no such thing as white ants, and they are, in fact, termites. To effectively eradicate flying ants and termites, it’s essential to know which of the insects you’re dealing with. Though both these insects have wings, wings of termites are more similar to one another, compared to the wings of flying ants. When reports of termite swarms start appearing on TV, radio and newspapers, property owners become acutely aware of every flying insect they see. Both Termite swarmers and flying ants' purpose is are out to reproduce and build new colonies. The male dies after mating. Are you finding winged insects crawling around on your home or business? I have never seen a flying ant before. Taxonomy. Appearance. Flying Ants: Which Is More Harmful? Winged Invaders: Termites vs. Difference Between Flying Ants and Termites. If you think termites might be in your home, call Terminix today to schedule a FREE Termite Inspection. The males die soon after, while the queens drop their wings to find a nesting site. Flying Ants vs Termites. It can be difficult to distinguish between termites and flying ants, even when you have the right information on your side. At certain times of the year and when conditions are right, flying termites or termite swarmers (called alates) will take their nuptial flight. @Perdido – Yes, flying ants do bite. February 3, 2012. Both of these wood-destroying insects may be damaging, but termites are more of a threat to property owners throughout Des Moines. Termites and ants require different treatment methods, so knowing the difference is key. When the weather changes and things … They have their wings to make this significant journey, but loose … OeKc05 September 13, 2012 @Perdido – Yes, flying ants do bite. Termites and flying ants have similar looks! These termites are the ones that leave the termite colony to start a new one. A Terminix specialist can quickly determine whether flying ants or termites have invaded your home and swiftly get them out, so you can once again live pest- and worry-free. The flying ants antennae are bent in the center while a flying termite’s antennae look straighter to the human eye. Flying Ants vs Termites. The difference between Flying Ants and Termite Swarmers. Insects can be frightening, but flying insects are next level scary. From a distance, you might not be able to tell which one is swarming, but up close, you will be able to distinguish between the two. Wings: Flying termites have 2 pairs of wings that are the same size and shape, and are twice as long as their body. Sometimes, the only way to spot a termite problem is during mating season. If you don’t realise you’ve got flying termites in your home, you’re giving them a free kick when it comes to gaining a foothold. Experts call termites and flying ants “swarmers ”, and these may come with almost similar qualities such as the black color of the body and their wings. It is so easy to make that mistake, unless you are a pest control specialist. To you, carpenter ants and termites swarmers may look the same – they’re black with wings. This is another difference between ants and termites. The sudden appearance of swarming ants or termites in flight is a good indicator that there is an infestation nearby. Contrary to popular belief, these swarming insects are not always termites — they may be flying ants. Their lifespan is significantly different as well. Home; About; Services; Skills; Our Team; Our work; Contact us; Posted on December 16, 2020 by Termites, on the other hand, have a much thicker waist. I wonder if this insecticide for termites also works on flying ants? Flying termites are often dismissed as harmless ‘flying ants’. Difference between flying ants and termites. Flying ants and termites are a pain to deal with, so it is best to know more about these insects and find ways on how to drive these away from your home. They are quite similar to ants, and the two species are usually mistaken by people. If caught too late, this structural damage can be significant. Ants and termites often get confused with one another to the untrained eye. Menu. Flying Ants vs Termites. I've never seen a termite at this house, because of the insecticide. The good news is that you don’t have to be an expert to tell termites from carpenter ants. Flying termites come out in the spring and are often the first indication that a serious, potentially damaging, termite infestation might be in the works on your property. Flying Ants. Flying termites and flying ants are no exceptions to the matter. Identifying termites vs. flying ants can be fairly straightforward when you know the differences. They form colonies that are composed of worker ants, soldier ants, drones, and queens. Is It a Flying Ant or a Termite? While they can be an issue, flying ants can be eliminated with the right pest control methods. Flying ants, also known as carpenter ants, are one of the biggest threats this time of year. There have been many instances where termites have been dismissed as white ants. Unfortunately, confusing the two is easy. Both flying ants and termites swarm as part of the mating process. Look at the wings. Thrasher Termite gives 4 ways to tell the difference between flying ants and termites. 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