Termite Swarmers or Flying Ants? How to Tell in Spring

Every spring somebody in Enid finds a pile of little winged insects on a windowsill and wonders whether it's ants or termites. It's a fair question. Both are dark brown to black, both swarm in spring, and both drop their wings.

OSU Extension's swarming advisory gives three easy ways to tell them apart, and it's worth a close look, because the answer changes what you do next.

Three Things to Check

Grab one with tape or a zip bag and look closely:

• Waist: ants have a narrow, pinched waist. A termite's body is about the same width all the way along.
• Antennae: ant antennae bend sharply, like an elbow. Termite antennae are straight and look like a string of beads.
• Wings: an ant's front wings are clearly bigger than the back pair. A termite's four wings are the same size and shape and reach past the end of its body.

If They're Termites

OSU's take: termites flying outdoors are normal and mean there's a colony in the yard. Swarmers coming out inside the house, unless they got in through an open door or window, almost always mean an infestation in the structure.

Vacuum up the ones inside and save a few for the inspector. Then walk the house. Scrape any mud tubes off the foundation and siding so you can see if they come back. Pull wood scraps, dead shrubs, cardboard and paper away from the house. Rake wood mulch at least six inches back from the walls, keep firewood off the ground and away from the house, and make sure gutters and drainage carry water away from the foundation.

Why It's a Job for a Licensed Provider

OSU points out that the termiticides and baits used for termite control are sold mainly to licensed pest control companies. A provider will inspect, explain the options and quote the job. See termite control for what that looks like.

If They're Ants

Winged ants coming out of a wall can still mean a nest in the house, and it's worth finding. Watch where they come from and mention it on the call. Ant control covers baiting and finding the colony.

See also: Termite Control, Ant Control