One of the biggest misconceptions in the world of insects is whether you’re having an issue with termites or flying ants. Since some ants have wings and others don’t, it even further complicates the matter. How can you tell if you have termites or winged ants, and are they both equally dangerous to your home? Understanding why do some ants have wings will help you to recognize the difference.

First, it’s interesting to note that almost all ants can fly and develop wings at specific times during the year. Usually, during the spring months, which is also prime mating season, the winged ants will emerge to swarm. When ants develop their wings, they’re dubbed as swarming ants, which means they are looking to reproduce.

Both males and females can swarm, and they’re called the drone and queen. The goal is to ensure their colony survives long beyond their short lifespan, so they look for the right partner to mate to carry on their legacy. Let’s learn more about why some ants have wings.

Why Do Some Ants Have Wings: The Nuptial Flight

Mid-spring is the most common time when swarmers take their flight. However, some species of ants will swarm at different times during the year, so the climate can help dictate swarming times. Scientists have called this the nuptial flight as they’re looking for nothing more than to mate.

If you ever were close enough to a colony to see this phenomenon, you would see “swarms” of ants leaving the nest and going out on the search for a mate. They get their name from this massive swarm that’s observed. The colony oversees who goes on these nuptial flights, and they send out a significant amount from their nest. This is why some ants have wings.

They know that the chances of swarmers who will live through the mating season and see the next generation are small. So, the more they send out, the better the chances of the colony living on. The main problem is that many of the swarming ants are eaten by predators.

Since ants are tiny and easy to digest for many birds and such, they’re considered a delicacy. Even the dragonfly will snack on an ant or two. Another portion of the swarmers will die because they cannot find adequate water to sustain life.

If the whole winged ant and termite things weren’t confusing enough for some, the only ants that have wings are those who have reproductive abilities. The ants that don’t have any winged members won’t swarm at all.

In these colonies, the queen chooses a reproductive male to accompany her to start a new colony elsewhere. This process is called budding, which is like the other species’ nuptial flight.

The Truth About Foraging Ants

Swarmers are not the ants you see crawling around your kitchen counter or on the sidewalk in front of your home. These ants never grow wings, and they often travel in packs in search of food. If you should see winged ants hovering around your windows or in another area of your home, then there simply looking for another place to make their colony.

So, If your home is where the swarmers choose to mate, the queen sheds those wings after the deed is done. She’s no longer interested in flying, so she removes the wings to start her new nest. The male, on the other hand, doesn’t fare so well.

Male ants have one duty in life, and that’s to mate. Once they’ve coupled with the queen, they die. So, if you see them hanging around the outside of your home, they shouldn’t be a cause for alarm, as they’re harmless. The exact period they live after mating varies, so they may hang around for a day or so. Clearing up the phenomenon on why some ants have wings while others do not helps homeowners understand how to best treat an ant issue.

Identifying Termites and Carpenter Ants

Now, you see something with wings swarming around your home, and you’re panicking because you automatically think the worst, termites. The potential for damage is excellent with both carpenter ants and termites. If you see either one swarming, it means they’re mating and extending their colonies, which can be devastating if they choose your floor joists or other wooded areas in your home to live.

Before you panic, you need understand that, yes termites can fly, but always remember that some ants have wings, too. To identify which pest has chosen your home as their mating ground, thankfully, there are some tips to help you uncover which insect is in your space. If you cannot identify between the two, you may need the trained eye of an exterminator. Sometimes, it can be a bit tricky to determine what’s swarming around your abode.

Carpenter Ant with Wings

Looking at the behaviors of the bugs in your home can help you determine what’s moved in. Carpenter ants are only one species of ants that can fly. So, you may have these types or another variety. Don’t make rash decisions in treatment, as choosing the wrong type can allow the problem to linger too long.

Seeing flying ants at any time of year is a cause for alarm, especially in the colder months. When ants are swarming in December, it probably means that they’ve nested somewhere within the woodwork of your home.

Now don’t be alarmed because an occasional flying ant passing through doesn’t indicate an infestation. However, if you have any areas where water lingers or there’s a leak, then you will find a carpenter or other ants nearby. So, seeing them at the off time of the year can indicate a problem within your home

Termite with Wings

Termites are Sneaky and Hide

Unlike the ant, which is often visible, the termite is rarely seen. They like to hide and stay out of your way, which is why they’re often dubbed the silent destroyer. Many people who have termite issues have no clue what is going on until they uncover a wall or a porch that falls through.

One way that you can tell if termites are present is by simply tapping on the wood. Wood shouldn’t have a hollow sound, so if you hear an echo from the board is hollow, then you have an issue. Rather than the bug itself, you will note discarded wings close to the area they’ve nested.

To further complicate things, there are three types of termites that you must contend with, they are:

• Subterranean
• Dry wood
• Damp wood

The damp wood varieties prefer to mold and decay. At the same time, the dry wood species can munch on wood with no defects. However, termites can eat anything when they’re hungry, including paper.

Physical Appearance

The termite does resemble the flying ant, but certain aspects separate the two. For starters, the antenna of the termite is straight, and the ants are bent. The termite wings are equivalent in length, while the ant’s wings are not the same size.

The termites’ wings are on top of one another, so at first glance, you might think there’s only one wing. However, there are two on their bodies, but one is hiding. The wings of the termite can be clear, brown, or black. The termite’s abdomen is straight, but the ant has an abdomen that’s in sections or pinched. Their abdomen can be a range of colors from brown, black, to red.

Behavior Is Key

Both ants and termites love to be in a large group. Both love decayed wood and debris to set up their colonies. Although some ants have wings, most ants don’t like wood, except for the carpenter varieties. Termites can wipe out a wooden structure in no time, primarily when they built a massive colony.

The swarming patterns of the ant and termite are different too. Termites like late spring to early summer, and ants like mid-spring. However, if you have an infestation in your home, you can see termites any time of year. Either insect will swarm when there’s light around so that you may find them on windows or near a light.

Getting Help to Determine Why Do Some Ants Have Wings

You must get help if you see anything that you think even resembles a termite. Since you have an untrained eye, you might think it’s a harmless variety because some ants have wings, when it could be something that’s already caused thousands of dollars in damage. Our Kapture team is here to answer your questions and give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing the difference.

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