When it comes to ant’s vs termites a lot of people confuse one for the other. Its good to know how to distinguish them from each other as the severity of having termites over ants is much greater. Both ants and termites have winged swarmer’s, and this is where a lot of the misidentification comes from. So, lets take a look at all the noticeable differences, so that if you come across one of these pests you will know what you’re dealing with.
- Termites have straight antennas, while ants have bent or “elbowed” antennas.
- Termites have equal length wings, while ants have unequal length wings. Both of them have 4 wings, but termite wings are uniform in size, while ants have larger wings in the front with smaller wings in the back. Termite wings also are twice as long as their body while ant wings are shorter and more proportionate to their bodies. Termite wings aren’t as durable as ants. Termite wings fall off easily. Loose wings can often be seen near the opening of a termite nest and can be used to identify a termite infestation.
- Ants have a waist while termites don’t. Ants are segmented into 3 parts with a thin abdomen. Termites on the other hand are segmented into 2 parts with a broad, straight abdomen.
- Ants can be a variety of colors from red, brown to black. Termites by comparison are transparent, light or creamy white in color, and they avoid light. Termites are rarely noticed unless their nest is disturbed.
If you’re having trouble identifying a pest its always best to reach out to a professional so the appropriate action can be taken to prevent further infestation.
