Wing Ants Vs. Termites
In our experience, Hawaii homeowners often confuse winged ants with termites. It’s important to know the difference to help protect your home from a harmful infestation. Here are a few ways of determining the difference between flying ants and winged termites.

Winged Ants
– Have narrow waists and bent antennae and two pairs of wings, one noticeably larger than the other.
– Wings have a brown tint. Rear wings are smaller than the front ones.
– Swarm at different times of the year depending on species and conditions.
– Winged ants do not eat wood or cause structural damage.

Winged Termites
– Fairly straight abdomens, equal length wings and straight antennae.
– Wings are clear, both front and back.
– In Hawaii, winged termites are seasonal swarmers, triggered by warm, balmy conditions.
– Termites eat wood and can create costly structural damage.

Once emerging from their nests, both species shed their wings quickly and are not adept flyers. Their roles are to reproduce and create new colonies. Of the two, termites are the dangerous species and need to be treated to prevent costly home damage.