How To Tell The Difference Between Flying Ants And Termites

Are Those Flying Insects Ants or Termites? Here’s How to Tell!

Have you ever seen a bunch of flying bugs and wondered if they were termites? You're not the only one! I got curious and did some research, and it turns out that lots of people mix up flying ants and termites.

But knowing the difference really matters, Termites can damage your home. Flying ants? They’re more of a nuisance than a threat.

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Here’s what happened to me: One day, I backed my car out of the garage and saw a big pile of dead bugs on the hood of my ride. I didn’t think much of it. But the next day, I saw an even bigger pile on the floor near our garage fridge.

The fridge is an old Red Bull cooler that has a bright fluorescent light on all night. I figured the bugs were attracted to the light and just died there. I sprayed around the area to be safe.

So, how do you tell the difference between flying ants and termites? The best way is to look closely. If they have a small waist, like mine did, they are flying ants. Whew!!!

It turns out that flying ants are just regular ants with wings. They grow wings when it’s time to leave the nest and start a new one. This is called swarming, and it usually happens during warm weather, especially after it rains.

If you see flying ants, it doesn’t mean your house is in danger—but it might mean there’s an ant colony nearby. If you’re not sure, or if you see these bugs often, it’s smart to call a pest control expert.

How about you? Have you seen flying ants in and around your place? Were you freaked out a bit at first when you did? Thanks for sharing this story with your family and friends!