25/10/2026
Seeing winged insects fluttering near your windows or outdoor lights after warm spring rain? 🪽🌧️
As October temperatures rise across Adelaide, subterranean termite colonies release winged swarmers (also known as alates) on a mission to mate and establish new nests. Because they look so much like flying black ants at a glance, many homeowners ignore them—giving termites the perfect head start on their home's timber framing.
Before you brush them off as harmless garden bugs, here is how to quickly tell them apart:
⌛ Waist Shape: Termites have a thick, uniform waist with no defined middle. Flying ants have a pinched, narrow "wasp-like" waist.
🪶 Wing Length: Termite swarmers have four equal-length, delicate, milk-white wings that extend far past their body. Flying ants have larger front wings and shorter back wings.
〰️ Antennae: Termites have straight, beaded antennae. Flying ants have distinct elbowed/bent antennae.
🪟 Discarded Wings: Shortly after landing, termite swarmers shed their wings to crawl into soil or timber gaps. If you find piles of tiny, papery wings on window sills, floorboards, or patio furniture, a colony is active nearby.
Dousing them with off-the-shelf bug spray won't stop the subterranean nest beneath the ground. If you've spotted swarmers or shed wings around your property, let our licensed technicians conduct a thorough inspection to keep your home safe.
👉 Book your termite inspection today: 🔗
https://allstatepest.com.au/termite-control/