Termite Swarmers or Flying Ants - What Am I Seeing Around My Home?

Termites. Just the word is enough to send a shiver down a homeowner's spine. These silent destroyers cause billions of dollars in property damage each year—often before you even know they’re there. But 'flying ants' are also a thing - so how does a typical homeowner know the difference? Nelon-Cole wants to help you be able to identify the difference in these invasive pests.

What Are Termites—and Why Are They a Threat?

Termites are small insects that feed on cellulose, a material found in wood, paper, and plants. While they play a vital role in nature by breaking down dead trees, they can be devastating when they decide to feast on your home’s structure. The most common culprits in the U.S. are subterranean termites, which live in underground colonies and can number in the millions.

termite swarmers can often be mistaken for flying ands

Warning Signs of a Termite Infestation

Termites often go unnoticed until the damage is done. Here are some early red flags:

• Mud tubes on walls, foundations, or crawl spaces

• Hollow-sounding wood or visibly damaged wood

• Swarming termites or discarded wings (often near windows)

• Bubbling paint or small holes in drywall

• Tight-fitting doors and windows caused by warping wood

If you notice any of these signs, it’s time to call your Nelon-Cole technician for a thorough inspection.

Identifying Key Differences in Termites and Ants Termite swarmers are the winged adult form of termites whose main job is to leave their colony, fly off, and start new colonies. They’re called "alates" in technical terms.

Here's a quick breakdown:

• What they look like: They have two pairs of long, equal-sized wings (they can look almost like flying ants but their wings are longer and their bodies are straighter and chunkier).

• When they appear: Usually after rain and during warm temperatures — spring and early summer are prime times depending on where you live.

• What they do: After they swarm, they shed their wings and pair off to become king and queen termites, starting a new nest and a new colony somewhere else.

Seeing swarmers around your home is a big warning sign of a nearby termite colony, even if you don't see actual wood damage yet (you will!).

flying ants only retain their wings for a short mating period

Flying ants are just normal ants that have grown wings for a short period of time so they can mate and start new colonies — very similar to termite swarmers, but from the ant family.

Here’s the quick version:

• Species: Any ant species (carpenter ants, fire ants, pavement ants, etc.) can produce flying ants.

• Why they fly: Once a year (usually during warm, humid weather), male and female ants develop wings and leave their nests in huge groups to mate. This event is called a nuptial flight.

• After mating: The males usually die, and the females land, lose their wings, and try to start a new colony as queens.

• Lifespan: Males live only a few days after the flight; females can live for years if they successfully start a nest.

Here is a quick comparison between termite swarmers and flying ants:

• Flying ants are ants — they can bite, have pinched waists, and are not as focused on eating wood like termites are.

• Termites are more secretive and destructive — flying ants are more of a nuisance unless it's carpenter ants (they can chew wood, but they don't eat it like termites).

Feature	Termite Swarmers	Flying Ants
Body shape	Straight, uniform body (no narrow waist)	Pinched waist (looks like an hourglass)
Antennae	Straight or slightly curved ("beaded" look)	Bent or elbowed
Wings	Two pairs, same size, much longer than body	Two pairs, but front wings are bigger than back wings
Color	Usually black or dark brown	Black, brown, or reddish
Behavior	Shed wings after swarming; found in piles indoors	May keep wings longer; not associated with wood damage

What To Do If You Suspect You Have Termites Nelon-Cole employs the very latest technologies and treatment solutions to safely eliminate a termite infestation in your home. We even employ our own in-house team to deal with any damages that they may have already caused. Our award-winning team awaits your call to take on these invasive pests, hopefully before significant damage has already been done. Termite infestations are not to be taken lightly, and homeowners should always be diligent with their inspections and regular pest treatments. Charlotte Pest Control - Gastonia Pest Control - Asheville Pest Control - Spartanburg Pest Control - Hendersonville Pest Control - Lincolnton Pest Control