Flying Ants or Termites? How to Tell the Difference

Colour can mislead you. Both can be brown or black, so do not rely on it. The waist is the most reliable check. If you can only look at one thing, look there.

When do termites swarm in Australia?

Termites swarm when it is warm, humid, and still. That usually means spring and early summer, often on the evening after rain.

In Melbourne, the main swarm window runs from mid-October to early November. You can still see swarms on any warm, humid night through spring and summer, so a swarm in December is not unusual. In Sydney, Brisbane and the northern parts of the country, swarms often follow the first warm rain after a dry spell, and in the tropics they tend to arrive with the early wet season.

Flying ants swarm in the same conditions, which is why people mix them up. Both are looking for a mate and a place to start a new colony.

Do termites swarm after rain?

Yes. A warm, wet afternoon followed by a humid, still evening is the classic setup. Rain softens the soil and lifts humidity, and that is the signal for a mature colony to release its winged members (called swarmers or alates).

A swarm after rain does not mean your home has been hit. It does mean termites are active in your area, and that is a good time to check your property.

What does a termite swarm mean?

Swarmers only come from a mature colony. If you find them, a nest is close by. Where you find them matters:

• Inside your home: the nest may be in the building, in the subfloor, or in a nearby tree stump or fence. This needs an inspection.
• Around outside lights or in the garden: the colony could be on your block or next door. It is still worth getting checked.
• Wings but no insects: swarmers shed their wings once they land. A pile of wings on a sill or near a door is the leftover from a swarm that has already happened.

Termites feed on timber from the inside, so damage can stay hidden for a long time. Most standard home and contents insurance policies in Australia do not cover termite damage, so it pays to check your own policy. Finding out early is far cheaper than fixing a structure later.

What to do if you see flying termites

Stay calm and follow these steps.

1. Do not spray them. Surface insecticide kills the swarmers you can see, but not the colony. It can also push termites to move and make the problem harder to trace.
2. Take photos and keep a sample. Put a few insects or wings in a sealed container or a zip bag. Your technician can identify them fast.
3. Note where you saw them. A window, skirting board, light fitting or subfloor vent all help point to the entry area.
4. Leave mud tubes and damaged timber alone. Do not scrape or break them. Our technicians use them to trace activity.
5. Book a licensed termite inspection. A qualified technician will check the roof void, subfloor, walls and the timber around your home to find out if there is a live colony. You can read how this works on our termite inspection service.

If you cannot reach us by phone, send an online quote request with your photos attached.

What if they turn out to be flying ants?

Good news first: flying ants do not eat your house. They are a nuisance, but they do not damage timber the way termites do.

A flying ant swarm usually lasts a day or two. The winged ants come from a mature colony that may be nesting in your garden, under pavers, in a wall cavity or inside the roof. Once the swarm is over, the colony keeps going.

You can help by sealing gaps around windows and doors, wiping up food and sugar, and not squashing the insects on the spot. A squashed ant releases scent that can draw more of them. If the ants keep coming back or you can see a trail inside the house, our ant control service targets the nest, not just the ants you see.

What happens during a termite inspection?

A licensed technician looks for signs of live termites and the conditions that attract them. At Jim’s, we check:

• The roof void and ceiling
• The subfloor and foundations
• Timber door and window frames
• Fences, retaining walls and garden edging
• Tree stumps, mulch and anything timber touching the ground

We tap timber to listen for hollow sounds, check for mud tubes and use a moisture meter to find damp areas. After the inspection, you get a clear report on what we found and what to do about it. If we find active termites, our termite treatment options explain how we deal with the colony.

Most pest professionals recommend a full inspection at least once a year, and more often if your home is in a high termite area or has had termites before.

How to lower your termite risk

Swarm season is a good time to look around your own property. You can reduce risk with simple habits:

• Fix leaking taps, pipes and downpipes
• Keep garden beds and mulch below the weep holes and damp course
• Store firewood and spare timber off the ground and away from walls
• Keep your subfloor ventilated and free of rubbish
• Clear gutters so water does not pool near the foundations
• Remove old stumps and dead tree roots

These steps make your home less attractive, but they do not make it termite-proof. For long-term protection, a termite prevention plan adds a treated barrier and regular checks.

Need a hand identifying what you found?

If you are unsure whether you have flying ants or termites, call us on 131 546. We will connect you with your nearest Jim’s technician, and we can organise a same-day visit in many areas.

Our phone lines are open Monday to Friday 7am to 8pm (AEST) and Saturday to Sunday 8am to 4pm.

Frequently asked questions