Termite swarm season: what the wings on your windowsill mean

Every spring the phone rings with the same question: is that pile of wings on the windowsill termites or flying ants? It matters, because a swarm inside the house usually means a colony is already feeding in the walls.

Termite or ant?

Termite swarmers have straight bodies, straight antennae and four wings of the same length, about twice as long as the body. Ants have a pinched waist, elbowed antennae and front wings longer than the back ones. Keep a few in a zip bag; we can tell in a minute.

When they swarm here

Eastern subterranean termites swarm on warm, sunny days after rain, from February to April. Formosan termites swarm in May and June at dusk and fly to lights, which is why they end up in piazza ceilings and around porch lamps.

What to do

Do not spray them; swarmers die on their own within hours. Vacuum them up, save a few and book a free inspection. If the swarm came from inside, we look first at bathrooms, door frames and anywhere wood touches soil or stays damp.