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Mar 1, 2023 · Learn how to distinguish winged ants from termites by their antennae, wings and waist. See photos and diagrams of the key features and compare them with examples.
- Termites vs. Ant Damage to Homes
- Physical Differences
- Behavioral Differences
- Signs of Ants vs. Termites
- Controlling Carpenter Ants and Termites
Carpenter ants (Camponotus) and termites (Isoptera) share several similarities, not the least because they are both notorious for causing wood damage in homes. Termites cause damage to homes faster than carpenter ants, creating significant damage within two to four years. Damage from carpenter ants can take a number of years and is usually easier t...
Ants and termites have several different physical characteristics to tell them apart. The most notable differences are termites have much longer, fragile wings and white, rectangular bodies while carpenter ants have two wings more proportionate to their reddish-black bodies with well-defined, narrow waists.
Both carpenter ants and termites build their nests in wood, but carpenter ants prefer moist, damaged wood whereas termites will chew and eat through healthy wood. Carpenter ants also build clean tunnels so you may see wood shavings near the holes, but termites create ragged tunnels and mud tubes to travel between the soil and wood.
Carpenter Ants
1. Large, winged ants scurrying around near or inside your home 2. Smooth, finished tunnels in moist wood structures 3. Wood shavings outside of tunnel holes
Termites
1. Loose wings near tunnel holes 2. Ragged, rough tunnels with layers of dirt 3. Mud tubes on walls or leading up to your home 4. Significant signs of wood damage 5. Hollow-sounding wood structures
Because carpenter ants and termites are so different, each requires different control measures to remove them. Carpenter ants can often be controlledby eliminating the conditions that attract them (e.g. rotting wooden structures), but a termite infestation usually requires professional help. Ask a pest control expert about using different chemicals...
- 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.
Nov 7, 2023 · Learn the differences in appearance, behavior, and damage caused by winged ants and termites. Find out how to properly identify and treat each pest with chemical or natural methods.
Mar 7, 2024 · Learn how to identify and treat flying ants and termites, two insects that can damage your home. See the differences in color, antenna, waist and diet of these pests.
Feb 24, 2023 · You’ll know that you’re looking at a termite because their front and back wings are the same length. However, a flying ant’s front wings are noticeably longer than their back ones. Termites’ wings tend to be a cloudy white color, while flying ants’ are usually brownish and more transparent.
Apr 28, 2024 · Causes of Infestation. Termites feed primarily on cellulose, a type of naturally occurring fiber found in wood and wooden structures. This readily available food source is the number one cause of termite infestations. Some common causes of termite infestations in residential homes include:
