Flying Ants Or Termites? It is important to know the difference.
FLYING ANTS OR TERMITES?
Posted By SafeGuard Pest Control Administrator When temperatures begin to rise, this is the time when insects breed in profusion. Warm temperatures are ideal for two insects: flying ants and termites. These winged insects at first glance may appear similar. But it's important to know the difference in order to deal with potential damage to your Levittown home or business.
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FLYING ANTS & TERMITES
The biggest difference between flying ants and termites is size. Flying ants are approximately four millimeters in length. Termites can be up to a half inch in size.
While both species have wings, termite wings are uniform in size while the second set of flying ants’ wings is smaller. Two other differences include:
• Termite antennae are straight with only a slight curve • Flying ant antennae are more curved and bent like elbows • Flying ants have narrow waists • Termites have broader waists
Another difference to note between these two insects is that flying ants' wings remain attached to their bodies. Termites eventually lose their wings. After shedding, their wings are found on the ground outdoors, or along windows and doorways indoors.
As warm spring temperatures develop, termites and flying ants are visible in swarms. These are usually male and female species in their reproductive phase of life whose job it is to build colonies. Be careful of these insects. They can swarm inside the home.
HABITS OF FLYING ANTS AND TERMITES
The general habits of termites are the tendency to swarm in the early spring during the warm, rainy part of the season. Since there are several species of flying ants, they may swarm at various times throughout the year. If you find remains of discarded wings, it is quite likely they are termites. During their nymph stage of growth, termites appear white and somewhat translucent. Termites look for warm, damp places to deposit eggs that are enveloped in a milky cocoon.
WHY YOU NEED TO KNOW THE DIFFERENCE
Flying ants may be annoying insects especially when they are swarming. Some flying ants are nocturnal flyers. Carpenter ants remain indoors during winter and make a feast of the interior structure. Termites, on the other hand, cause significant damage to interior and exterior structures if they go unchecked.
TAKE CONTROL OF FLYING ANT OR TERMITE INFESTATION
In order to take the proper precautions should flying ants or termites be spotted, note the differences between these insects. In either case, it's important to take preventative steps to protect your home.
At first sight seek professional pest assistance.
Before flying ants or termites become a problem, call SafeGuard at the first sight of swarming. Our professionally trained technicians will identify the specific problem and recommend the best treatment procedures to ensure your Levittown home or office is safe from flying ant or termites.
The best preventative method is an annual inspection by our experts who will detect potential areas of your home that may be an invitation to flying ants or termites to breed.
Annual inspections can be arranged to allay fears and concerns about the types of pests most likely to be a future problem. Our technicians are fully knowledgeable of a variety of pests and insect problems.
