Termite Swarmer Identification

Termite swarmers are flying reproductive male and female termites.  Termite swarmers are easy to identify once you have seen one.  They are distinctive with their infestations from other insects in many ways.  Usually they are confused with flying ants.

Distinguishing Characteristics include wings, waist and antennae.

First, the wings.

If all you find are wings, you can still identify termite activity and where they live.  A floor full of small light wings is a sign of a termite swarm.  Termite swarmers drop their wings leaving them all over the ground.  The wing is opaque or light silver in color with a dark vein on the leading edge.  Ant wings have veins throughout the wing.

Second, the waist.

The size of the waist distinguishes ants from termites.  Termites have a thick waist.  An ant has a thin or pinched waist.

Finally, the antennae.

The antennae is the hardest to see.  A termite antennae looks like a beaded necklace.  An ant antennae is elbowed.  Easy to distinguish, but difficult to see.  Use a magnifying glass to look at the antennae.

Termite control starts with a termite inspection.  Contact us to set up a termite inspection or inspect on your own.  A professional inspection at least once a year is important.  It can be difficult to find and identify termite damage without experience in locating termites.