So there's a swarm of winged bugs flying around the porch light. Maybe some have gotten inside near the windows. The big question every Florida homeowner asks in this moment: are those flying ants or termites? And honestly, the answer really matters.

Here's the thing. Flying ants are mostly just annoying. Even carpenter ants, which do nest in wood, cause damage very slowly over the years. Termites are a completely different story. A single termite colony can have millions of members eating wood around the clock. The National Pest Management Association says termites cause five billion dollars in damage to American homes every year. Five billion. And most insurance policies don't cover it.

So how does someone tell the difference? Three things to look for.

First, check the antennae. Termite antennae are straight, like tiny beads stacked in a line. Ant antennae have a distinct bend or elbow partway along. This is actually the most reliable way to tell them apart.

Second, look at the wings. Termites have four wings that are all the same length, usually extending way past the body. Ants also have four wings, but the front two are noticeably bigger than the back two.

Third, examine the waist. Ants have that classic pinched waist everyone pictures when thinking about ants. Termites have thick, straight bodies with no pinch at all.

Now, if wings are found on windowsills or near doors without any insects attached, that's actually a warning sign. Both flying ants and termites drop their wings after mating. But here's the key detail: if those wings are all the same size, termites are the likely culprit. Different sized wings point toward ants.

What should someone do if they think it's termites? Don't panic, but don't ignore it either. Grab a few of those bugs or wings, put them in a plastic bag, and have a professional take a look. ABC Home and Commercial Services has been handling termite problems in Orlando for over thirty years. More information is available at a b c home and commercial dot com.

The bottom line? When it comes to flying ants versus termites, a few seconds of inspection can save thousands of dollars in repairs down the road.