Ants vs Termites: How To Tell Them Apart?

Ants vs Termites: How To Tell Them Apart? Ants and termites are both insects that infest our homes. However, before hiring a pest control professional to exterminate them, you must identify them. Only when you do so can you choose the right professional exterminator.

Today, we will share with you the difference between termites and ants. After going through the differences choosing the right extermination service is easy. Read on – Ants vs Termites: How To Tell Them Apart?:

1. Antennae shape:

One of the most distinct differences between them is their antennae’s shape. The shape of the ant’s antennae is similar to the elbow. On the other hand, termites have straight antennae.

Many homeowners think that this difference is too minute. However, once you observe these insects, it is easy to notice this difference, and after that, you can make an informed decision regarding extermination.

2. Body shape:

The body shape of both these insects can vary. Even though they are small, if you observe them, you can notice this body difference.

To start with, termites have a straight body. It is tough to spot the waist of termites. The entire middle part of the termite will seem like the abdomen, and there is no distinct waist.

On the other hand, ants have a narrower and pinched body. If you were to characterize the body shape of a termite, that would be rectangular.

3. Damage:

The damage in your home will also help you differentiate between ants and termites.

Termites are mainly attracted to wood, paper, and substances, which consist of cellulose. They can damage such surfaces over time. Structural damage can also occur if you have termites in your home. Any damage to wood especially is a clear indication of termite infestation.

Apart from that, if you notice sawdust piles or pellets around the wood or plywood at your home indicates a termite infestation. If you ignore the problem or do not exterminate the termites, the entire piece of furniture or the surface might eventually get broken into many pieces by termites.

In that case, ignoring the problem is no longer a solution. You need to call an exterminator to stop any further damage.

Ants, on the other hand, are omnivores. They consume plants and animals. Not only that, they are attracted to the usual food as well. That is why, if you have food particles lying around or do not clean a particular part of your home frequently, there are chances that there might be an infestation of ants around that area.

4. Lifespan:

The lifespan of both these insects is also different. Depending on the life span, you can better understand which ones can infest your home for a long time.

The termite life cycle is certainly longer. For example, the life cycle of termites is around two years. Queen termites can even stay alive for decades together. Even when you consider the average lifespan of a termite, it is much longer than ants.

The lifespan of ants is only a few months. Because of this, the ant’s population growth rate is comparatively slower.

When it comes to extermination, insects having a lower population are easier to exterminate. The likelihood of them infesting your home again is also on the lesser side.

Thus, it can be concluded that exterminating ants is easier in your home as compared to termites. Additionally, ants are easy to spot as well. On the other hand, termites are extremely difficult to spot.

The average lifespan of both can also give you an idea of whether the insects you spotted in your home are termites or ants.

5. Wing length:

The number of wings for both the termites and ants is the same. Both have four wings. However, the length of their wings can help you distinguish between both.

Termite’s wings are of equal length. Also, the wings are longer than their body size compared to their bodies.

Ants, on the other hand not necessarily have wings. However, some ants can fly and have wings. If those ants infest your home, observe the wings at their back, they are shorter than the wings at the front. The wings at the front are proportional to the body size.

Another way to identify ants from termites by the wings is to observe the shedding of wings. What we mean is that termites’ wings can be easily broken. The wings of termites are so fragile that they can fall off on their own as well. That is why, if you notice fallen wings and other signs of termites, it indicates that the insects infesting your home are termites rather than ants.

6. Color:

One of the main differences between ants and termites is color. Ants are usually darker red. A different species of ant can be black as well. Also, ants score around for food. That is why; it is easy to observe them in the corners or areas with leftover food. That is why; ants cannot stay hidden for a long time.

Termites are much lighter in color. It is somewhat similar to that of water or plywood. They also often infest the insides of the furniture or such surfaces. That is why they aren’t visible on the surface. The most distinctive characteristic of a termite infestation is a pile of wood dust or sawdust around the infested surface. Spotting the termites is difficult.

7. Treatment:

You can go with the temporary treatment for the infestation of ants. By eliminating the food source or the reason for their infestation, like vegetation growth at home, you can control them for the time being. Even though, eventually, you will need to call an exterminator to eliminate them.

Termites, on the other hand, require professional intervention right from the start. Even ignoring them for a few weeks means that the population of termites increases manifold. It means that once you notice any sign of a termite infestation, it is good to call the professional as soon as possible.

Ants vs Termites: How To Tell Them Apart? – Conclusion

Thus, if you’re trying to spot the differences between termites and ants, these are the few differences to look out for. Once you use this guide to spot them, knowing which insect is infesting your home is certainly possible. Accordingly, you can take further steps to prevent more damage.