When winged insects appear indoors, homeowners often worry about wood damage. This concern stems from confusion between winged ants and termites, two different insects that can both have a winged stage. Understanding their distinct characteristics is important for accurate identification and determining necessary actions.
Understanding Winged Ants and Their Diet
Winged ants do not eat wood for sustenance. Their diet consists of sugars, proteins, and fats from sources such as honeydew, other insects, or household food scraps. While carpenter ants are associated with wood, they do not consume it. Unlike termites, ants lack the digestive enzymes to break down cellulose.
Why Winged Ants Appear Near Wood
Some winged ants, particularly carpenter ants, are found near wood because they establish nests within it. This excavation is solely for creating shelter and expanding their colony, not for food consumption. Carpenter ants often target wood that is damp, decaying, or softened by moisture, as it is easier for them to tunnel through. Nests can be found in locations including wall voids, rotting window frames, or firewood piles. The presence of fine sawdust-like material, known as frass, outside small holes in wood can be a sign of their nesting activity.
Distinguishing Winged Ants from Termites
Differentiating between winged ants and winged termites is crucial due to their different impacts on homes. Winged ants possess distinct physical features, including elbowed antennae and a constricted, pinched waist. Their wings are unequal in size, with the front pair noticeably longer than the hind pair. Both types of insects participate in swarming events, where winged individuals emerge from their colonies to mate.
In contrast, winged termites have straight antennae and a broad waist, giving their body a uniform width. All four wings are typically equal in length and often appear translucent. While both insects shed their wings after swarming, discarded wings of equal size can be an indicator of termites. Termites also construct mud tubes, which are tunnels made of soil and wood, used for protection and travel.
Responding to Winged Insects in Your Home
If you identify winged insects in your home as ants, particularly carpenter ants, it often indicates a moisture issue. Inspect for sources of water damage or decaying wood and address these problems. Sealing entry points around windows, doors, and foundations can prevent further access. For control, use ant baits, which foraging ants carry back to the colony, or contact a pest control professional for larger infestations.
If the winged insects are identified as termites, immediate professional inspection is highly recommended. Termites can cause significant structural damage to wooden components of a home, and their presence suggests an active colony nearby. Do-it-yourself methods are generally ineffective for termite infestations, and a professional can accurately assess the problem and implement appropriate treatment. If identification remains uncertain or the infestation is substantial, seeking expert pest control assistance is the most prudent course of action.