Every spring and immediately following summer monsoon rains in El Paso, thousands of winged insects emerge in synchronized mating swarms. If you find piles of discarded translucent wings on your windowsill or black winged insects emerging from baseboards, you need to know immediately: Are they harmless flying ants, or subterranean termites damaging your home's structural framing?
Here is the straightforward guide to identifying the difference.
The 3 Key Physical Differences
Grab a magnifying glass or clear tape to inspect one of the insects:
| Feature | Subterranean Termite Swarmer | Flying Ant (Alate) |
|---|---|---|
| Waist (Body Shape) | Broad, straight, uniform cylindrical body | Pinched, narrow "wasp-like" waist (pedicel) |
| Antennae | Straight and bead-like (moniliform) | Elbowed or bent at a 90-degree angle |
| Wings | 4 wings of equal length & shape, twice as long as the body | 4 wings: Front wings are much larger than hind wings |
| Wing Shedding | Wings fall off very easily with gentle touch | Wings remain firmly attached to thorax |
2. Other Telltale Signs of Subterranean Termites in El Paso
Termites live underground in the soil, creating subterranean tunnels to reach wood framing, baseboards, and roof structural ties.
Look for these additional signs around your home:
- Mud Tubes (Shelter Tubes): Pencil-thin brown earthen tubes running up concrete foundation slabs, stem walls, brick footers, or plumbing pipes. These protect soft-bodied termites from the dry desert air and predators.
- Hollow or Damaged Wood: Tap your baseboards, door trim, or window sills with a screwdriver handle. Wood infested by termites will sound hollow or break through like thin paper.
- Piles of Discarded Wings: After swarming, termites twist off their wings. Finding dozens of identical wings trapped in spiderwebs or piled on interior windowsills is a definitive indicator of an active colony nearby.
What to Do If You Find Termites
Do not attempt to spray the swarmer insects with standard bug spray. Killing the swarmers does nothing to stop the subterranean colony located deep in the ground beneath your foundation.
Subterranean termite defense requires a comprehensive liquid barrier treatment (such as Termidor) applied directly around the foundation perimeter or advanced in-ground baiting stations.
Worried About Termites in Your Home?
Call Pest Control El Paso at (915) 546-5672 to book a licensed, thorough termite inspection.
Need Immediate Help With This Pest in El Paso?
Call (915) 546-5672 for a free inspection and a desert-tested treatment plan from local El Paso exterminators.