As spring approaches, the days will be getting longer and warmer. In addition to trees budding and flowers blooming, many of our traditional insects will make their reappearance.

Warmer temperatures will trigger both termite and ant swarms. Both are social insects, and the life cycle and habits of both are very similar. Ants and termites are usually wingless, but at a certain time of the year, some of them will have wings. Swarming is actually the process of reproducing the colony. The fertile females and the males have wings at this time. They fly into the air, mate while flying, and then return to the ground. The female mates only once in its life. It stores the sperm from the male in a special pouch within its body and releases the sperm as needed to fertilize the eggs that it will lay throughout its entire life.

After mating, the female sheds its wings and burrows into the ground to lay its eggs and begin the process of caring for its first brood. Sometimes the female will eat its own wings when they are shed, because they are high in nutritious value.

The poor male also returns to the ground but will wander aimlessly until it dies. The only purpose in life for the male is to mate, and once this is done, there is no place in the social society of ants or termites for males.

Although many people confuse swarming ants with swarming termites, the identifying characteristics of these insects are very different, and it is fairly easy to tell them apart. The scientific name for termites is Isoptera. Like an isosceles triangle with two sides of equal length, the front pair of wings of termites is almost exactly the same length as the rear pair of wings. Ants, on the other hand, have a front pair of wings that is distinctively longer than the rear pair of wings.

Other distinguishing features are the body and the antenna. The bodies of termites are elongated with no distinct division between the thorax and abdomen. Ants have a very distinct thorax and abdomen divided by a very slender waist. Termites have short, stubby antenna while ants have long, slender antenna that are usually bent like an elbow.

Swarming of ants and termites usually occurs on mornings or afternoons following some rainfall. Outdoor swarms near a house may end up landing on the siding for a few hours, giving the impression to the casual observer that termites are infesting the house. Outdoor swarms are simply nature's way of reminding you that termites and ants are all around you.

Indoor swarms, especially if they are properly identified as termites, usually mean that termites are likely infesting the structure. In this case, it's a good idea to get the house inspected and make a determination of whether or not a treatment is necessary.

Many people feel like they need to get their house treated whenever they see something outside that looks like a termite. Their house may be several years old and they're concerned about termites, but their annual inspection did not indicate any evidence of termites. If a reputable company has maintained annual inspections, more than likely there are no termite problems.

However, if annual inspections have not been maintained, it is difficult for a pest control company to tell if treatment is needed, especially if there is no evidence of termite activity. However, some people are willing to spend the money to have their house treated regardless of whether they have termites or not, because it will make them sleep better at night knowing that it has been treated and is now under contract. Essentially, if someone wants their house treated for termites because it puts them more at ease, then it's their house, their money, their decision. It is still wise to call several pest control companies and compare their inspection procedures and estimated costs for any proposed treatment.

A number of homeowners have received letters from the pest control company with whom they've had a termite contract for many years. These letters often state that the company is requiring a retreatment in order to maintain a guarantee on the house, regardless of whether or not there are termites present. The cost for this new treatment, usually called a "booster treatment," is the responsibility of the homeowner.

If the person reads their contract carefully before they sign it, they will find a clause that explains this retreatment option. It is the company's call as to whether or not the retreatment is needed, often basing this decision on what chemical was used initially.

Some homeowners may be inclined to simply cancel rather than spend the money. However, there are some points to consider. If the contract is cancelled, it may relieve the company of any responsibility for damage that is found later. Also, if another company is called, it very well could cost the same amount of money for the new contract, but the new contract will probably exclude existing damage. In other words, the new company will not be responsible for any damage that occurred before the new contract.

Now that you have had a short course on identification, if you see a swarm of insects around your house, you should be able to tell the difference between termites and ants. If they are ants, forget them. If they are termites, determine if they are coming from your house or from the yard or nearby woods. If they are coming from your house, contact your pest control company or find one real quick.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 2/21/02