As swarm season arrives in Orlando, pest control experts explain how homeowners can distinguish between harmless flying ants and destructive termites before costly damage occurs.
-- Central Florida homeowners are reporting swarms of winged insects around their properties as temperatures rise, prompting a common question: Are those flying ants or termites? The answer matters significantly: one poses minimal risk, while the other can cause thousands of dollars in structural damage.
The National Pest Management Association estimates termites cause American homeowners five billion dollars in property damage annually. Much of this destruction occurs because infestations go undetected, and many homeowners initially dismiss termite swarmers as harmless flying ants.
Orlando pest exterminators identify several key physical differences between the two insects. Termites have straight, beaded antennae, while flying ants display distinctly bent or elbowed antennae. Termite wings are uniform in length and extend well past the body, whereas ant wings come in two different sizes, with front wings noticeably longer than rear wings. Perhaps most telling, termites have thick, straight waists without visible segmentation, while ants show clearly pinched waists between body sections.
The timing of swarms provides another identification clue. In Florida, subterranean termites typically swarm in early spring, often after rainfall when humidity levels spike. Flying ants may appear throughout warmer months, but tend to swarm later in the season. Both insects are attracted to light sources, which explains why homeowners frequently spot them near windows, doors, and exterior lighting fixtures.
Discovering discarded wings near windowsills or doorways raises particular concern. After mating, both flying ants and termites shed their wings. However, finding clusters of the same-sized wings strongly suggests termite activity, as ant wings vary in length. Entomologists recommend collecting samples for professional identification when uncertainty exists.
The behavioral differences between these insects extend beyond appearance. Termites feed on cellulose found in wood and can silently destroy structural elements for years before detection. Carpenter ants, the flying ant species most commonly confused with termites, excavate wood for nesting but do not consume it. While carpenter ants can damage wood over time, their destruction progresses far more slowly than termite damage.
Florida's warm, humid climate creates ideal conditions for multiple termite species. A comprehensive guide on what termites look like in Florida explains how subterranean termites build colonies underground and construct mud tubes to access food sources, while drywood termites live within the wood they consume and leave behind frass, small pellets resembling sawdust.
Property owners who observe swarming insects or find discarded wings should promptly seek a professional assessment. ABC Home & Commercial Services has provided termite control in Orlando for over thirty years, helping Central Florida residents protect their properties from these destructive pests. Content strategy developed in partnership with trusted digital marketing agency ASTOUNDZ.
Contact Info:
Name: ABC Home & Commercial Services Orlando
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Organization: ABC Home & Commercial Services Orlando
Address: 823 East Colonial Drive, Orlando, Florida 32803, United States
Phone: +1-407-265-0665
Website: https://www.abchomeandcommercial.com/orlando
Source: NewsNetwork
Release ID: 89183507
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