How to Distinguish Termite Swarmers from Flying Ants
As spring gets into full swing, pests will be looking to take up residence in or near your home. Two of the most popular pests to make an appearance this time of year are termites and ants. But how can you tell the difference so that you can apply the correct pest control solution?
Snowball Pest Control is here to help. This article is designed to help you distinguish between flying ants and termite swarmers so that you can make an informed decision about the best way to eradicate them. We recommend calling in the experts to handle both types of infestation to make sure the problem is properly addressed, and your home entirely protected.
What Are Termite Swarmers
Termite swarmers make an appearance in the spring and have one purpose: to emerge in large quantities and mate quickly in order to establish new colonies. They have two set of long, transparent wings that extend past their abdomens, broad waists, and straight antennae. Once they find a mate, they shed their wings (typically by windowsills and doorways) and become kings and queens of their new colony.
Key characteristics of termite swarmers include:
- Straight antennae
- Broad waists
- Equally-sized front and hind wings
While termite swarmers aren’t a hazard on their own—they don’t sting or bite—they are dangerous because they are an indicator of an infestation that’s nearby. As colonies are formed and fully established, they pose a serious danger to the structural integrity of your home.
What Are Flying Ants
Like termite swarmers, flying ants are the reproductive members of the ant colony, not a separate species. Their role is also to find a mate and create their own colony and they pose a serious threat to your home as well. Ants can build nests inside your walls and eat through wires, drywall, and insulation, causing tens of thousands of dollars of damage.
Key characteristics of flying ants include:
- Bent or elbowed antennae
- Pinched waist
- Longer front wings and shorter hind wings
- Brown or red bodies
When to Call a Professional for Ant or Termite Extermination
If you suspect you have an infestation of ants or termites, it’s important to get an exterminator involved immediately. Both insects can colonize quickly and cause damage to your home. Termites are arguably the bigger threat—eating through support beams, cabinets, furniture, and more—to destroy the structural integrity of your home. In the right conditions, a home can become inhabitable in only a few months and will be completely destroyed within a year or two.
That doesn’t mean ants aren’t a problem, however. Left to their own devices, ants can also eat wreak havoc on your home by eating through its interior and exterior components.
Call Snowball Pest Control for a Free Estimate Today
Schedule your free estimate today by calling Snowball Pest Control at (859) 635-7793. With years of experience in the field, we can easily identify what kind of pest you’re dealing with so that the proper service is used to eliminate the problem.