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Mar 7, 2024 · Getty Images. Both termites and flying ants, also called carpenter ants, can be big nuisances to homeowners. Both insects fly, gnaw through wood and can invade your home. However,...
- Termite Or Flying Ant?
- Subterranean Termites
- Formosan Termites
- Dampwood Termites
- Drywood Termites
- Conehead Termites
Many people will see termite swarmers in homes during the spring and mistake them for flying ants; this can end up being a costly mistake if the rest of the termite colony follows the swarmers. Winged termites have a straight waist, straight antennae and their wings are equal in size. Flying ants on the other hand have waists that are pinched in th...
Found in every U.S. state except Alaska, subterranean termitesare creamy white to dark brown or black and 1/8 inch long. They live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground that can contain up to two million members. Subterranean termites also build telltale “mud tubes” to gain access to food sources and protect themselves from...
Formosan termitesare similar in color to subterranean termites but can grow to 1/2 an inch long. They can be found in Hawaii, California and much of the southern U.S. Originally from China, Formosan termites are the most aggressive known termite species, capable of consuming one foot of 2X4 wood in just 25 days. They live in huge underground coloni...
Dampwood termitescan be spotted throughout the pacific coastal and adjacent states, the desert or semi-arid southwest, and in southern Florida. This termite species is typically between 1/2 and 5/8 of an inch long. As their name suggests, dampwood termites infest wood with high moisture content, such as dead trees or logs, and don’t usually infest ...
Unlike subterranean and Formosan termites, drywood termitesdo not require contact with the soil and usually infest undecayed wood. They are typically between 3/8 and one inch long and often establish nests in roof materials and wooden wall supports, along with dead wood that may be around the home. This species can even infest wood furniture and fr...
Named for the cone-shaped head their soldiers have, conehead termitestravel above ground similar to ants, rather than via underground tunnels like other species. Doing so allows them to travel much faster and efficiently than termites that utilize underground pathways or build "mud tubes." If this species gains entry to a home, they can still const...
People also ask
How do you distinguish flying ants from termites?
Are termites flying ants?
What does a termite look like?
What is the difference between a flying ant and a winged termite?
They are characteristically black or dark brown. Swarmers, or flying termites, have clear front and back wings that are the same length. More about what a termite looks like. In contrast, ants have elbowed antennae and pinched waists. Their bodies can be black, brown, or reddish.
Visibility – Flying ants can be visible in your home, but termites can only be seen when swarming. Behavior – Both ants and termites are attracted to wood and moisture, but ants are also attracted to sweets. What do winged termites look like? Identifying which type of termite species you’re dealing with is essential to the treatment ...
- Termites have straight antennae, while ants have elbowed antennae. You can look closely at the antennae of the species you’re trying to identify to determine whether it’s an ant or a termite.
- Termites have straight, wide bodies, and ants have narrow, pinched bodies. Once you’re close enough to compare the bodies of termites to ants, you’ll likely see that the abdomen on a termite has no defined waist.
- Wood damage indicates the presence of termites. Ants won’t damage wood. Since ants typically don’t eat wood, they likely aren’t the cause of any significant structural damage to your home, should you have any.
- Ants are drawn to food debris. Cellulose-rich things like wood and paper will attract termites. Ants are omnivores, which means their diet consists of food from both plants and animals.
Mar 1, 2023 · Updated: March 1, 2023. Termite swarmer on the left, ant on the right. Photo: D. Clement. Comparing winged ants and termites. Flying ants may be distinguished from termites by the following: Ants. Elbowed antennae. Front wings longer than hind wings, tinted brown. Pinched or "wasp-waist". Body black, brown or reddish. Termites. Straight antennae.
Jul 20, 2022 · There are a number of differences in the appearance of flying ants and termites. Here’s what to check to tell them apart: Antennae: Flying ants’ antennae have a noticeable bend, while termite antennae are straight. Wings: Flying ants and termites both sport two pairs of wings.
