Different species of ants and termites have their own ‘Alates’ as entomologist called them.

Alates refer to the winged form of  social insects like ants and termites. They only have one purpose in life: to mate.

Typically, alates are created by the queen ant or termite for the purpose of reproduction. Once they reach maturity, male and females fly in a swarm to mate, this is called “Nuptial flight”. In ants, the male will eventually die after mating whereas females will search for possible grounds to start a new colony. Male termites on the other hand don’t die, they will continue to mate with their queen throughout their 30-50 year lifespan.

Their Difference

There’s a devastating truth that can lead homeowners into property damage for mistakenly identifying a flying termite over flying ants. A lot of people are unsure of the differences of these two as they appear to be physically similar. Here’s an image comparison between a flying termite and an ant with wings:

The difference between Flying Ant’s and Flying Termites

Do they do harm?

Chances of an ant or termite queen making a new colony might be slim due to some factors like predators, location, weather etc., you might still want to contact your local pest control if you’ve seen a swarm of termites or ants as they can start a new colony right into your home.

Eliminate the termites in your home, let us help you right away! We offer a wide range of less hazardous treatments that’ll make you worry free from your pest and the environment. Give us a call and we’re happy to help!