Home Pest Control Update: Flying Ants or Termites?

Spring is finally here and with it the warmer and extremely wet mild winter, that means all types of flying and crawling bugs in Maryland! This includes our new clients in Woodbine, Gaithersburg, Columbia, Sykesville, and all of Maryland are calling us now about these flying insects with wings. 

They may be winged ant reproductives or winged termite reproductives. But, how do homeowners tell the difference between the two??

First, the easiest way that a homeowner can tell if they have termites or an ant species is fairly simple:

Ants (Carpenter, Odorous, Citronella, Pavement, etc.) have a definitive segmented body with a head, thorax, abdomen. They have pinched waists and they do not shed their wings. 

ant reproductive Pest Shield Inc
Ant reproductive
ant swarmer Pest Shield Inc
Ant swarmer

Winged Termites (Alates) have no segmented body parts and definitely shed their wings. So, you will find a pile of wings around windows and door frames, especially after a nice soaking rain followed by sunny skies. These signs may indicate a termite issue.

termite swarmers Pest Shield Inc
Termite swarm
termite wings on window Pest Shield Inc
Termite wings on window sill

In either event, don’t panic! For a free, accurate assessment you can send a photo or text photos of the pests in your home and we will promptly identify for you, which is the first step to a positive resolution.

Contact your local Pest Shield, Inc., professional home pest control exterminator. We can do a free, accurate assessment. Text pest photos to (301) 275-7765 for an identification. You may also call (301) 829-0600 or email at info@pestshieldinc.com for a consultation. We serve Mt. Airy, MD, Central Maryland and the counties of Montgomery, Carroll, Frederick, and Howard. 

In our next blog, we will delve into the Biology of Subterranean Termites. So visit us here again. 

Hoping you have a safe and peaceful April.

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Posted in ants and termites, home pest control