Termites or flying ants? How to tell the difference & keep pests out of your Georgia home.

Chelsea Madden
·3 min read

From mosquitoes, ants, flies, roaches and more, bugs are everywhere when it’s warm. This summer’s crop of creepy crawlers look ugly and sinister. But don’t be fooled by their sizes. The small ones can do tons of damage outdoors and indoors.

One of the main concerns for homeowners during this time (and every season) is termites. But it is sometimes hard to distinguish the little terrors from other pests.

Flying ants in particular look eerily similar to termites, but pose an entirely different problem. Here’s how to tell the difference between the two pests.

They look similar

They are both small, they swarm together and they look like they’re the same color. Both termites and flying ants appear to have brown or black coloring, wings and antennas.

But, look closer and you’ll see the difference almost immediately.

While flying ants are often mistaken for flying termites, each insect varies in diet and appearance. Courtesy of American Pest
While flying ants are often mistaken for flying termites, each insect varies in diet and appearance. Courtesy of American Pest

Here’s the difference

According to American Pest, these are the differences in appearance between termites and flying ants:

  • Flying ants have wings that are longer in the front and shorter in the back

  • Termites have four wings that are the same size, translucent and stacked on top of each other

  • Flying ants have a pinched, small waist; whereas termites have a thick waist

  • The antennas on flying ants are elbowed, meaning they come out to the side and then they bend upwards

  • Termite antennas are straight out, not elbowed or bent

The two pests also have a difference in behavior:

According to Yates-Astro Termite and Pest Control in Georgia: “Flying ants are attracted to light and are often seen flying around lights at night. Termites, on the other hand, are not attracted to light and are rarely seen flying around outdoor lights.”

And there’s a difference in their swarming patterns.

Flying ants like to come out during the summer months, while termites like to swarm in the spring.

Here’s how to prevent termites

If you think you have a termite infestation, it’s time to call your local pest control company.

However, there are some simple ways to prevent termites before they wreak havoc:

  • If you recently did construction, keep the soil around the foundation dry through proper grading and drainage (including maintenance of gutters and downspouts).

  • Reduce openings that offer termites access to the structure (filling cracks in cement foundations as well as around where utilities pass through the wall with cement, grout, or caulk).

  • Fix leaks immediately.

  • Keep vents free from blockage, including plants.

Here’s how to keep flying ants away

They are just pests and yes, they bite. Here are some tips to keep them away:

  • Use peppermint. “Peppermint works as a natural ant repellent because its scent is reminiscent of a predator’s. You can get rid of flying ants by mixing one part liquid dish soap and two parts water in a spray bottle and adding several drops of peppermint oil to the mixture,” according to Forbes Home. “Shake the bottle, and then spray the flying ants wherever you see them. The soap will dehydrate the insects, while the peppermint oil suffocates them.”

  • Vacuum your home and wipe down counters as well as cleaning up dishes in the sink and trash cans.

  • If nothing else works, grab some ant killer at your local store.

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