Termite Identification — Know What You're Looking At
Every spring our phones fill with the same nervous question: "I found winged bugs on the windowsill — is it termites?" Sometimes it's harmless flying ants. Sometimes it's a swarm that means a mature colony has been feeding for years. Here's how to tell the difference, and how to get a definitive answer for free.
- Free termite inspection & upfront pricing
- Sentricon® bait & liquid barrier options
- Renewable warranty protection
- Local termite specialists — not a chain
Swarmer or Flying Ant? Three Things to Check
Termite swarmers and winged ants look alike at arm's length and completely different up close. Check the waist first: termites are thick-bodied straight tubes, while ants pinch at the middle like an hourglass. Next the wings: termite wings are equal length — twice the body, milky and identical — where ants carry two big front wings over two small rear ones. Last, the antennae: straight as beads on a termite, bent at an elbow on an ant.
Timing is a tell of its own. Eastern subterranean termites in coastal Virginia swarm on warm, still mornings from roughly March through May, often right after rain. Finding a pile of identical shed wings on a sill — with or without the insects — is one of the most reliable termite signs there is, because swarmers shed their wings minutes after landing.
Don't let the spring swarm fool you into thinking termites are a seasonal worry. Swarming is just the colony's once-a-year travel season — underneath, the workers keep eating around the clock, every month of the year. That's exactly why termites earn the nickname "the silent destroyer": they chew through the wood inside your walls and under your floors without a sound you'll ever hear, so the damage grows just as steadily in December as it does in May.
The Signs That Don't Fly
Mud tubes are the colony's covered highways: pencil-width veins of dried soil climbing a foundation wall, pier, or plumbing penetration. Break an inch out of one and check back in a few days — repaired mud means live traffic. Hollow-sounding wood, paint that bubbles like water damage where there's no leak, and floors that feel spongy near exterior walls all point the same direction.
What most people call "sawdust" usually isn't termites at all — subterranean termites eat the wood rather than pushing it out. Neat piles of pellets suggest carpenter ants or powderpost beetles, both of which we also treat. That's exactly why a photo or a free in-person look beats guessing: the right treatment starts with the right insect.
Subterranean Termites: A Visual Field Guide
Eastern subterranean termites are the species that damages Hampton Roads homes — they nest in the soil and reach your framing through hidden mud tubes. Here's what the colony, the spring swarmers, and their most common look-alike actually look like.
How Subterranean Termites Reach Your Home
Subterranean termites nest in the soil and build pencil-width “mud tubes” up foundation walls, piers, and plumbing lines to reach the wood above — staying hidden from daylight the entire way. Inside the colony, cream-colored workers do all the feeding and the damage, larger-jawed soldiers defend the tunnels, and winged swarmers leave each spring to start new colonies. Those mud tubes climbing your block or brick are the single most reliable sign of an active infestation.
Flying Ant vs. Flying Termite
Three tells separate a termite swarmer from a harmless flying ant. Termites have straight, bead-like antennae, two pairs of equal-length wings, and a thick, straight waist. Ants have elbowed antennae, longer front wings than back, and a sharply pinched “hourglass” waist. When in doubt, check the middle — a pinched waist means ant.
A Termite Swarmer (Alate)
This is the winged reproductive that leaves the colony on warm, still spring mornings to mate and start a new nest. Note the two pairs of milky wings, equal in length and nearly twice the body — and the straight-sided body with no pinched waist. A few of these at a windowsill mean a mature colony is swarming nearby.
A Spring Swarm in Progress
When a colony matures, hundreds of swarmers pour out at once — usually from wood or soil near the foundation, often right after a warm rain. They're weak fliers that shed their wings within minutes, so what you'll typically find indoors is a pile of identical discarded wings on a sill or in a spider web. That's your cue to call for an inspection.
How It Works
Check the Signs
Waist, wings, antennae for the insect — mud tubes, shed wings, and hollow wood for the structure. Our guide above covers the tells.
Send Us a Photo
Not sure? Attach a clear photo to our contact form and a technician will identify what you're seeing, usually the same business day.
Confirm with a Free Inspection
If it looks like termites, we put eyes on it in person — a full inspection, free, with a written plan if anything is active.
Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if I have active termites or just flying ants?
Check three features up close: a termite has straight antennae, equal-length wings, and a thick, uniform waist, while a flying ant has bent antennae, longer front wings, and a pinched waist. Termites also leave telltale evidence around the home.
- Antennae are straight and bead-like on a termite, elbowed on an ant.
- Termite wings are equal in length; an ant's front wings are longer.
- A termite waist is thick and straight; an ant's is sharply pinched.
- Shed wings on a windowsill or mud tubes on the foundation point to termites.
Our technicians take clear pictures and video on every inspection so you can see the exact evidence for yourself.
Schedule Your Free Inspection
Think you spotted swarmers? We offer same-day or next-business-day inspections to confirm right away.
Book Your Inspection NowWhat do termite mud tubes look like, and what should I do if I find one?
Mud tubes are pencil-sized tunnels made of soil, wood particles, and termite saliva, usually running up foundation walls, crawl spaces, or floor joists. They protect subterranean termites from drying out. If you see one, do not break it or spray it with household pesticide — this causes termites to retreat and re-route elsewhere, making treatment harder. Leave it untouched so our team can evaluate the activity. We document all findings with photos and video during your evaluation.
Get Answers Fast
Spotted a mud tube? Call us today — inspections can occur same-day or next business day, and if termites are found, we can treat as soon as the next day in most cases!
Schedule My InspectionI found termites in my home — how quickly can you eliminate them?
We move fast because termite damage doesn't pause. Once we conduct a thorough inspection (complete with video and photo documentation of the affected areas), we create a custom liquid or baiting treatment plan. If termites are confirmed during your evaluation, we can perform treatment as soon as the next day in most cases. You don't have to wait weeks while damage worsens.
Protect Your Home Immediately
Don't wait for damage to spread. Get your home inspected today and treat as early as tomorrow.
Claim Your Next-Day Treatment SlotHow much does termite treatment cost, and do you offer payment plans?
Treatment costs depend on the size of your home, the severity of the infestation, and the type of construction. To keep your home protected without straining your budget, we offer SmartPay flexible financing options. This lets you get immediate, professional elimination with manageable monthly payments instead of paying everything upfront. Every quote comes with a full photo and video breakdown showing exactly what needs to be treated.
Flexible Financing Available
Protect your home today and pay comfortably with SmartPay!
Apply for SmartPay & Book InspectionWhy do I need a professional inspection if I only see damage in one spot?
Termites are hidden pests. What you see on the surface is usually just a fraction of the colony's activity. Subterranean termites travel beneath floors, behind sheetrock, and deep inside crawl space timbers. A DIY check only catches visible signs, while a trained Universal Pest & Termite technician inspects the entire structure. Plus, we capture high-definition pictures and videos of every area inspected, giving you complete transparency and peace of mind.
Get Total Peace of Mind
Inspections are available same-day or next business day. See what's really happening under your home.
Request Your Photo & Video Inspection
Meet the Team
Between the folks in this photo there are decades of staring at winged insects on windowsills — enough to call swarmer or flying ant from a slightly blurry phone picture before the coffee's done. Send yours through; identification is free, and honest: if it's not a termite, we'll happily tell you so.
Schedule Free Termite Inspection & Quote
24/7 Immediate Response for all of the 757 — or call (757) 502-0200
The Termite-Free Guarantee
Your termite identification is backed by our written Termite-Free Guarantee. If termites ever return between inspections, we retreat at no charge.
"Stephen was fantastic!! What a breath of fresh air after working with another company that was just ripping us off. Stephen was very informative and answered all my questions. I feel confident in the work he is doing and look forward to future visits. I would highly recommend Stephen and Universal for pest control."
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"Scott is my technician, and is always early if not on time. He's polite & friendly and always conscious of covering his feet and trying to be neat in my home. It's nice to have the same consistent technician every quarter."
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Inspection 24/7
The UniGuard Program
Complete termite and pest control for your home — one low monthly service fee.
The UniGuard Program rolls your termite protection and everyday pest control into a single membership. We install a termite baiting system, back it with a full termite warranty, and include our Essential pest control program — so your whole home stays protected for one predictable monthly price. No large yearly termite bill, no long-term contract, cancel anytime.
Termite Protection
- Professional termite baiting system installed around your home's entire perimeter
- Ongoing colony monitoring and bait replenishment at every service visit
- Full termite warranty — if termites ever come back, so do we, at no charge
- Annual termite inspection to keep your protection active year after year
Essential Pest Control — Included
- Quarterly service for ants, roaches, rodents, spiders & 20+ other general invaders
- Free emergency return visits in between regularly scheduled services — at no additional charge
- Propell rodent repellent exterior treatmentsIncluded now — normally a $75 per-service add-on
- All-natural products at no additional cost (upon request)
- Bed bug monitoring
- Pet-friendly treatments
- Cancel anytime — no long-term contracts
One low monthly service fee · no large yearly termite bill · cancel anytime
Service Now, Pay Later with SmartPay
A termite problem won't wait for payday — and now your treatment doesn't have to either. SmartPay lets you protect your home today and spread the cost over time, with $0-down options on any termite treatment, inspection, or repair.
- $0-down payment options
- Simple, predictable monthly payments
- Available on termite treatments, baiting, and repairs
Recent Termite IDs Across Hampton Roads
Free identifications from homeowner photos, samples, and on-site checks around the region. Hover a pin or a job card to see what we found.
Latest activity
10 recent visits- 1
Swarmer vs. Flying Ant ID
near Thoroughgood, Virginia Beach 2 hours agoHomeowner sent photos of discarded wings near a window sill; identified as subterranean termite swarmers vs. flying ants.
- 2
Sample Identification
near Great Bridge, Chesapeake 4 hours agoAnalyzed suspect bugs found in a garden bed; confirmed carpenter ants rather than termites, and flagged the damp wood they were nesting in.
- 3
On-Site Verification
near Larchmont, Norfolk 6 hours agoVerified active subterranean termite workers inside a piece of crawl space wood debris and provided immediate treatment options.
- 4
On-Site Verification
near Sandbridge, Virginia Beach TodayInspected suspected mud tubes on exterior pilings; confirmed active termite tunnels and provided a digital video report.
- 5
Swarmer vs. Flying Ant ID
near Downtown, Suffolk TodayIdentified flying insects captured in a living room as termite swarmers; scheduled a full subfloor inspection.
- 6
Sample Identification
near Chic's Beach, Virginia Beach YesterdayAnalyzed wood frass and damage in a garage; identified powder post beetle activity rather than termites and issued a custom quote.
Locations shown are street-level only. We never publish a customer's exact address.
More Termite & Wood Protection
City guides: Pest control in Chesapeake · Pest control in Virginia Beach · Pest control in Norfolk · Pest control in Portsmouth · Pest control in Suffolk · Pest control in Hampton · Pest control in Newport News · Pest control in York County · Pest control in Poquoson · Pest control in Yorktown · Pest control in Williamsburg · All of Hampton Roads
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How We Compare to Other Pest Control Companies
Not every pest control company in Hampton Roads offers the same thing. Here is a straight comparison of what you get with Universal Pest Control and what is common elsewhere in the industry.
| What to compare | Universal Pest Control | Most pest control companies |
|---|---|---|
| UniGuard ProgramExclusive | Universal Pest Control Termite protection and full pest control combined in one membership for one low monthly payment — from $59/month, with the termite warranty and quarterly pest service included together. | Most pest control companies Termite protection and pest control are usually sold as two separate agreements, with two renewals and two bills to keep track of. |
| SmartPay financingExclusive | Universal Pest Control $0-down payment options on termite treatments, baiting systems, and repairs, so the work can start before payday. Simple, predictable monthly payments. | Most pest control companies Financing, where it is offered, is commonly arranged separately through a third-party lender. |
| Pest Guard Attic Insulation™Exclusive | Universal Pest Control Hampton Roads' only licensed Pest Guard Insulation™ installer, through our sister company Universal Insulation Doctor — insulation manufactured with an EPA-registered pest preventative, so the replacement itself resists the insects that ruined the original. | Most pest control companies Attic insulation is typically referred out, and standard fiberglass has no pest deterrent built into the material. |
| Total Home Health Network | Universal Pest Control Pest and termite control, attic insulation, and duct cleaning coordinated under one roof through the Universal family of companies — one point of contact for the whole job, done in the right order. | Most pest control companies Pest control only. Insulation and duct work are usually booked with separate vendors on separate timelines. |
| A+ BBB rating | Universal Pest Control BBB accredited since 2007 with an A+ rating, earned through consistent, honest work in the same community. | Most pest control companies Accreditation and ratings vary by company — worth checking before you book anyone. |
| 26+ years in business | Universal Pest Control Protecting Hampton Roads homes since 2000 — more than 26 years in the same market, with over 100,000+ homes serviced. | Most pest control companies Tenure in the area varies widely; newer branches and recently opened franchises are common. |
| Family owned & operated | Universal Pest Control Owned and run by a family that has lived in Hampton Roads their whole lives. The people who answer the phone and the crews at your door are your neighbors. | Most pest control companies Ownership varies — many local branches are franchises of national brands, with crews dispatched from outside the area. |
| Guarantees in writing | Universal Pest Control Pest-Free Guarantee and Termite-Free Guarantee: if pests come back between scheduled visits, so do we, at no extra charge. Free inspections, plus same-day and next-day service. | Most pest control companies Retreatment terms, callback windows, and what counts as covered differ from contract to contract. |
The highlighted Universal Pest & Termite column reflects services we provide directly or through the Universal family of companies. The “Most pest control companies” column describes common industry practice in general terms and is not a statement about any particular company — some companies may offer services that are similar, so ask any provider exactly what their plan, warranty, and quote include before you sign. Financing on approved credit.