Every spring, Roselle homeowners see swarms of winged insects near windowsills, exterior doors, or around mulch and landscaping beds. Most people call them flying ants and don't think much of it — but in a significant number of cases, what they're seeing is a subterranean termite swarm. The distinction matters enormously, because flying ants are a nuisance, while a termite swarm is evidence of an established colony that may have been feeding on your home for years.
The swarm season in New Jersey runs from March through June. Even if you saw the swarm weeks ago and the insects are gone, the colony that produced them is still there, still feeding, and still growing. Here's how to tell what you saw — and what to do about it.
If you saw swarmers indoors: Wings or live/dead insects on interior windowsills, near light fixtures, or around doors mean the swarm emerged from within the structure. This is the clearest sign of an established colony inside or directly beneath your home. Call for an inspection — don't wait.
Termite swarmers and flying ants emerge at similar times of year and can look remarkably similar at a glance. Here are the key differences:
| Feature | Termite Swarmer | Flying Ant |
|---|---|---|
| Antennae | Straight, bead-like | Bent / elbowed |
| Wings | Equal length (both pairs same size) | Front pair larger than rear pair |
| Waist | Broad, no pinch | Pinched / narrow |
| Color | Dark brown to black, wings transparent | Black, reddish, or brown depending on species |
| What it means | Established termite colony nearby | Ant colony nearby (usually less urgent) |
If you're not sure what you saw, save a sample in a sealed bag or take a clear photo. We can identify it for you over the phone.
A termite swarm is not the start of a termite problem — it's evidence that one already exists. Here's the progression:
In other words: by the time you see swarmers, the colony has typically been feeding for years. The swarming event itself doesn't damage your home — but it signals that significant hidden damage may already exist.
Roselle's housing stock — a mix of single-family homes, two-family houses, and older bungalows across the borough — presents several factors that elevate termite risk:
It's now June — the main swarmer flights of the year are done. But the colonies that produced those swarmers are still actively feeding. Worker termites forage 24 hours a day through summer and fall, stopping only when soil temperatures drop below about 50°F in late November.
If you saw a swarm in April or May and haven't had an inspection, now is the right time — before summer's peak feeding accelerates any existing damage. If you didn't see a swarm but haven't had a professional check in more than two years, an inspection is still worthwhile.
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Roselle Pest Control Page 📞 Call 908-352-7959