Flying termites almost look the same as ants so it is easy to mistake them for one. However, there are certain differences between flying ants and termites that you should know. Deciphering the difference between these two creatures will help you plot the necessary action whenever you see both.
All You Need To Know About Flying Ants
Flying ants, also known as carpenter ants are winged swarmers with elbowed antennae. Like termites, they are attracted to lights but they should be mistaken for one. Ants usually have pinched waists and hind wings smaller than their front wings. They have dark bodies or sometimes reddish in color. Their favorite food is the nectar from flowers, seeds, and food debris.
They are similar to termites in that they also swarm when they see lights. However, the best remedy for ants is not termiticide but an insecticide will do, or a bug spray. You just spray insecticide on a colony of aunts and they should die eventually. The following are some other things you can do to prevent ants.
- Pour boiling water or white vinegar on their homes
- Use oil of lemon, which is a natural insecticide
- Pour cornstarch on a group of flying ants and then vacuum them
- Apply boric acid to their colony
Flying Termites – The Tiny Menace in Homes
Flying termites are also known as alates, which are responsible for reproducing more termites to multiply the colony. They measure around 3 to 4mm long and are most commonly found in homes. Like flying ants, they are also attracted to lights and will swarm whenever they see any lighting inside your home.
In contrast with flying ants, they have thicker, creamy, and almost translucent bodies. They have two pairs of similar-size wings. Unlike ants, they don’t have pinched bodies. The main diet of termites is cellulose from woods.
They don’t feed on food and are not attracted to sweets. Rather, they look for weak spots in your home where they eat 24 hours a day. Flying termites also eat away books, paper, and pieces of cotton. The sudden appearance of flying termites is a good indication that there are other termites in your home.
Why is it important to differentiate between Ants and Termites?
Ants and termites of some of the most popular unwanted pests in Australia. However, it is important to tell the difference between the two because while ants only eat food residue, termites can eat away at your home.
Ants aren’t alarming unless you encounter the bigger ones that bite and unless they’ve occupied the grounds in your home in bigger colonies. Now, let’s dig deeper into the different behavior of termites and ants.
Carpenter ants merely dig into the wood to excavate their nests. They don’t eat the wood but simply put it out through openings of galleries and colonies. If you see small piles of wood shavings or frass below the foundations of your home, it can either be termites or ants. Smaller and finer frass can be that of ants but bigger frass can be that of termites. Moreover, termites create mud tunnels that create patterns around your ceiling or walls. Ants can also create tunnels but they’re often softer compared with those of termites. Ants dig tunnels on the ground and usually don’t make way to the wood structure in your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Ants and Termites
What time of year do carpenter ants and termites appear?
Both carpenter ants and termites usually swarm in the springtime and are most active during night hours. If you want to set a trap to catch these pests, try turning off all your lights and leaving only a bug zapper. Whether there are flying ants or termites, bug zapper will electrocute any insect that will come to its light.
Do carpenter ants and termites have the same diet?
No. Ants like sweet food, such as honey, jelly, syrup, and other food residues. They can quickly sense sweet food through their antenna and gather around where they are. On the other hand, termites will feast on cellulose regardless if it is tasty or not. Termites can work on your wood 24/7 and will only stop when proper treatment is given.
Can I eradicate termites in my home completely?
Yes. Termites can be extinguished using professional treatment and techniques. Depending on the severity of termite infestation, we can recommend the most viable solution for your property.
Do you see flying termites in your home? Are you seeing small wood residues around the different foundations of your home? If you fear that termites might be feeding in your home, do not hesitate to call us. At The Local Guy, our certified teams are more than willing to conduct full house inspections to determine the existence of termites on your property. Our extensive coast-to-coast coverage, paired with our local experts will assure the most effective pest protection is given to your precious property. Call us today.
What Services Do We Offer?
We offer a bunch of services and treatments to control pest infestation for the masses all across Australia. Our pest control services can manage:
- Flying insects (wasps, bees, flies, mosquitoes, etc.)
- Crawling insects (termites, spiders, cockroaches, ants, etc.)
- Birds and rodents (rats, mice, birds, etc.)
Our team of experts works towards returning your home back to you just so you can resume your life without any disruption or hassle, which is exactly what makes The Local Guys Pest Control the absolute best in the game!
