Ants are close relatives of bees and wasps. They are social insects and live in colonies. They are familiar insects that are easily recognized, especially in their common wingless adult forms, known as workers. Several species of ants commonly live in lawns and ornamental plantings of trees and shrubs in and around our home, office, and buildings. Winged ants are frequently confused with swarming termites. However, ants and termites and not related.