A reader asks: We recently had a leaky pipe in the wall between our kitchen and bathroom. The leak was repaired about six months ago. Now, we are seeing these very small fly-like insects with wings crawling on the kitchen floor. They came from behind the refrigerator which is where the old leak occurred. The sheet rock was dry but we had these bugs all over. What are they?

Dear Reader: Sounds like it may be termites or the winged stage of one of many types of ants. We suggest collecting a few termite samples in a bottle and have them identified by your county extension agent. Proper and correct identification is key to getting fast control and it may tell you something about what might be happening inside sealed walls.

Termites and ants look very different. Ants have a very defined pinched waist, while  termites do not have the pinched waist. Ants have clear wings and the veins are very visible. Termites have milky colored wings and the veins are less defined.

The flying insects you had with the leaky pipe were probably fungus gnats or Phorid flies. Once the water problem was corrected they had no acceptable breeding environment and should have died off quickly. If they are still present you probably still have something leaking.