How To Tell If You Found A Termite or an Ant

At Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control, we frequently get asked about the differences between winged termites and ants. This distinction is important for identifying potential pest issues correctly and to identify termites accurately. By understanding these differences, you can better protect your home from damage caused by these pests.

Winged termites are typically around 1/4 inch in length. They have a cigar-shaped body with one segment, straight antennae, and two pairs of equally long wings. In contrast, ants have three distinct body segments with a narrow waist, elbowed antennae, and a longer pair of front wings.

Termites can invade buildings of any age, from new constructions to older structures. The queen termite can produce thousands of larvae, leading to colonies that may contain millions of individuals. These pests live as deep as 20 feet underground but prefer environments that offer warmth, moisture, and food.

physical characteristics of termites and ants. what termites look like and what flying ants look like
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What is the Difference Between a Termite and an Ant?

Termites and ants are both small creatures that we find all over the place – though hopefully not in our houses. We move mountains to make sure that they don’t make it into our sacred lair, but what are some of the differences between our many-legged friends? Recognizing the signs of a termite infestation early can help prevent significant damage to your property.

What is a Termite?

eastern subterannean termites ocean county nj

Termites are small insects that exist in many parts of the world. The two most popular species of termites found in homes and in nature in the West are formosan and eastern subterranean termites. These termites are likely to be the things that cause people who own older homes all kinds of problems. They are known as the “silent destroyer”, because they go undetected in the home while they chew through wood and cause around $5 BILLION in property damage every year.

Where Does a Termite Colony Live?

Termites live in underground termite colonies, similar to ants. In order to survive, termites need contact with the soil and the nutrients it provides, hence why tend to burrow into houses from the bottom-up, which is also why they cause so much. They need a dark, moist, nutrient-rich environment.

What Do Worker Termites Eat?

The most common form of termite food is dead plants or wood. They are known as “detritivores”. They’ll eat just about any form of decaying plant, or decomposing animal matter or even faeces. Their penchant for wood has made them an annoying pestilence in Western Europe and North America, particularly in older houses built with lumber that is unprotected from infestation by these insects. Termites often create galleries inside infested wood, which can lead to significant structural damage over time.

What is an Ant?

Ants are our curious little friends for whom we lay traps during the warmer months of the year to repel them from entering our homes. These little many-legged friends of ours, often dark brown in color, have a particular affinity for anything sweet – that’s why you may find them crawling all over bags of unattended sugar, or long-forgotten candy. There are over 700 North American ant species, the most common among these is the “Carpenter Ant” and “Odorous House Ant”.

Where Do They Live?

Like termites, ants live in fairly large colonies, depending on the type of ant – Carpenter Ants, for example, can live in colonies with up to 50,000 ants! Almost half of these will be “worker ants”, and several thousand “Queen” ants. Ants can also live in trees, in the walls of buildings or homes – ants can basically make a nest pretty much anywhere.

In contrast, a termite colony can contain millions of individuals, all working together to sustain the nest.

What Do They Eat?

Ants are almost a greater pestilence that termites because ants are omnivores – that is, they’ll eat pretty much anything. They’ll even eat other insects. Ants really don’t care what you put in front of them, they’ll chew through it. Certain types of ants have other affinities, for example, carpenter ants (hence the name) tend to have a likeness for wood. Pharaoh Ants are another type of ant with a particular affinity for sugary things. Don’t leave your fruit or other sugary treats out overnight if you’re in a high-ant-density area.

Unlike ants, termite workers primarily consume cellulose from wood and other plant materials.

How Are They Different?

So, now you know a little bit about both the termite and the ant, what are some differences between the two?

  • Termites have wings that are of equal length. In comparison, winged ants have wings that are longer in the front than the back.
  • Ant antennae are elbowed, whereas termite antennae are straight.
  • Termites have a thicker waist area than ants do.
  • “Worker” ants and “worker” termites are different colors: ants are reddish-brown, whereas termites are transparent and light-creamy colored.
  • Termites eat the cellulose of decomposing wood. Meanwhile, ants eat sugars and proteins.
  • Termites make much more of an effort to hide – usually, if you have an ant problem in your home, you’ll know it because you’ll see them. In contrast, termites hide in all the places that nobody thinks to look, often until it is too late to save your home from property damage.
  • Soldier termites have large heads and mandibles, which they use to defend the colony from predators.

How Are They Similar to Flying Ants?

You could be forgiven for mistaking one for another. Here are a few similarities.

  • Unless one looks closely, they do look very similar!
  • They are both “eusocial” insects, meaning that they both live in colonies where only a few members of that colony are capable of reproduction.
  • Both build and live, in mounds made of the earth around them.
  • Both ants and termites can form swarms, where reproductive members leave the colony to establish new nests.

As you can see, ants and termites have more differences than they do similarities. This makes them no less a pest to you in your home. If you think your home may have been infested by either ants or termites – but particularly termites – you should definitely get your home inspected by a professional. Ants are easy enough to deter with ant traps, but termites can cause thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to your home. Get rid of them quickly!

Call 732-899-3030 or Contact Us Today for Termite Remediation Services!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I tell if I’ve found a termite or an ant?

Winged termites are usually around 1/4″ in length, with a cigar-shaped body and straight antennae. They have one body segment and two pairs of equally long wings. In contrast, ants have three distinct body segments with a narrow waist, elbowed antennae, and a longer pair of front wings.

What physical characteristics distinguish termites from ants?

Termites:

  • One uniform body segment
  • Straight antennae
  • Two pairs of equally long wings

Ants:

  • Three body segments with a narrow waist
  • Elbowed antennae
  • Longer pair of front wings

What are the typical habitats of termites and ants?

Termites live in underground colonies, similar to ants, but they require contact with soil to access the nutrients they need. They often burrow into houses from the bottom up, causing significant damage. Drywood termites can be found in dry wood above ground, whereas subterranean termites build mud tubes to maintain moisture while traveling between their colony and food sources.

Ants can live in large colonies that may be located in trees, within walls, or other sheltered environments. Colony sizes and nesting habits vary by species, such as Carpenter Ants, which can live in colonies of up to 50,000 members.

What do termites and ants eat?

Termites primarily consume dead plants and wood, making them “detritivores.” Their diet includes decaying plant matter, decomposing animal matter, and even faeces. Drywood termites, in particular, prefer unprotected lumber.

Ants are omnivores, meaning they eat virtually anything, including other insects. Carpenter ants have a preference for wood, while Pharaoh Ants and other species are attracted to sugary foods.

What are reproductive termites and flying termites?

Reproductive termites, also known as swarming termites or flying termites, are a specific caste within the termite colony responsible for reproduction. These termites have wings and leave the nest in large groups during termite swarms to establish new colonies. Swarming termites can often be seen during warmer months and are a clear sign of a nearby infestation.

Why are termite queens important?

The termite queen is crucial for the survival and growth of a termite colony. She can produce thousands of larvae, leading to colonies that may number in the millions. The queen’s prolific reproduction facilitates the rapid expansion of termite populations within infested structures.

How can I identify a termite infestation?

Look for signs such as:

  • Mud tubes along walls, foundations, or other surfaces
  • Termite swarms or presence of swarming termites
  • Discarded wings from reproductive termites
  • Hollow-sounding wood when tapped
  • Visible damage to wood structures

If you suspect an infestation, it’s important to contact a professional pest control service like Callahan’s Termite & Pest Control to address the issue effectively.