Both ants and termites can swarm during spring and summer. Swarming is a natural occurrence that enables the colonies to reproduce and create additional nests.
Alates noticed outdoors should not normally be reason for alarm, however more than a few swarming termites indoors may be a far more serious problem.
Should more than a couple of dozen termite alates be noticed indoors (that have not flown in from outdoors), a pest controller should be called without delay.
Try to capture and retain a few specimens in a dry jar. Do not add water or any preservative.

Both flying termites (alates) and flying ants have two pairs of wings.
Both are dark grey to black in appearance.

TERMITES

Have antennae that are almost straight and have a beaded appearance.
Wings are virtually twice as long as their body
Both wing pairs are the same size.
Wing veins are not visible to the naked eye.
Have no taper to their body
Wings break off easily, with just a touch

ANTS

Have antennae that are elbowed (bent)
Wings differ in size. The outer pair is larger than the second pair.
Have narrow tapered waists
Wing veins are usually easily seen with the naked eye
Have sturdy wings that do not break off easily

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