Identifying the differences between ants and termites by Arthur Katz

Arthur Katz, Knockout Pest Control

Seeing a swarm of insects in your home or building can be very disconcerting. One of the first questions you need to ask is do I have a termite problem or an ant problem? Without taking a close look you may not be able to tell the difference. Both of these insects chew on wood and set off swarmers. Depending on the termite, they even have the color of a carpenter ant.

Here are some ways to identify the difference between the physical resemblances:

1. While both species have four wings, the termite wings are all the same size. The ant wings have noticeably larger wings in the front as compared to the hind pair. Swarming ants have two pairs of wings. Often ants have a black dot near the tip of the front wings, and dark wing veins can be seen. You can’t see termite wing veins with the naked eye. Ant wings do not break off easily. Termite wings break off easily, with just a touch. You may see broken wings from the swarming termites in an area they had been crawling.

2. Termites have almost straight antennae, the ant’s antennae are elbowed.

3. Termite wings are twice as long as the body.

4. Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin-waisted appearance. Termites have a broad-waisted appearance. Termite waists are not narrow. Termite bodies are straight-sided with no constriction. 

Carpenter ants do not actually eat wood as termites do, but bore out wood to create nesting areas. Because carpenter ants are only interested in nesting the damage may not be as extensive as termite damage.

Carpenter ants like moist or softer woods and their presence could indicate water issues (leaks, drainage issues) or decaying wood. However they will find their way into harder woods.

They are often found in windowsills, hollow-core doors, wood scraps (in a yard, under a house or porch), porch columns, roofs, and wood in contact with soil.

Remember that carpenter ants do not ‘eat wood’, but merely use it for shelter. They often either pack sawdust away from the nest site or dump it out into piles. These dumping grounds are a key factor in determining whether you have a carpenter ant or termite situation on your hands. Compared to termites carpenter ants nesting area will be quite clean. Termites do not exhibit this type of behavior. Termites do consume wood and it is the sole component of their diet. The damage they cause differs in appearance from carpenter ants. Worker termites are pale colored, soft-bodied soil dwelling insects. They construct mud tunnels to move through and within the area they are feeding. Termite galleries will be filled with layers of mud and feeding damaged wood is thin with a ragged appearance.

Both can cause damage although termites are the greater threat and can cause extensive damage. If you have a swarm or see any signs of nesting call a pest control professional. It is the best and safest way to eliminate the problem.

Arthur Katz is CEO of Knockout Pest Control, Uniondale, N.Y.