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How to Tell Termites From Flying Ants

Seeing a swarm of insects around your home may cause you to become concerned that you're being invaded by termites. Yet, not all swarming insects are termites. Termites can cause considerable damage to your home, as can carpenter ants. Properly identifying termites from flying ants can help you determine the best course of treatment for your home. There are certain characteristics that can distinguish termites from flying ants. Does this Spark an idea?

Things You'll Need

  • Termite or flying ant
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Instructions

    • 1
      Capture an intact insect for easiest identification.
      Capture an intact insect for easiest identification.

      Catch an insect during a swarm. Try not to crush it, as it will be easier to identify a whole insect.

    • 2
      Ants have a head, abdomen and thorax.
      Ants have a head, abdomen and thorax.

      Locate the body of your insect. Determine if it has a head and body, or a head, abdomen and thorax. As stated by Pest Products, termites have two distinguishable body parts. An ant will have three body parts.

    • 3

      Look at the body of the ant. The waist of an ant is pinched. Termites have swollen waists.

    • 4

      Inspect the wings of your insect. Both insects will have two pairs of wings. Termite wings will be the same length and as long as its body. According to the A-Active Termite & Pest Control Company, the front wings of flying ants are larger than its rear wings.

    • 5

      Notice the wings of your insect. Ants will have visible veins on their wings. Termite wings aren't clear like ant wings, and are grayish in color.

    • 6
      Ants have bent antennae.
      Ants have bent antennae.

      Examine the antennae. Termites have long, beaded antennae. Ants have antennae that are bent in the middle.

Tips & Warnings

  • Termites and ants can't be identified by color.

  • Termites can be as dark as ants in color.

  • Enlist the help of an exterminator if you're unable to identify insects at your home.

  • Be careful when handling a swarming insect, especially if its an ant. Both termites and flying ants have pinchers that can clasp your skin.

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References

Resources

  • Photo Credit termites image by Christophe Fouquin from Fotolia.com Ant image by SGN from Fotolia.com ant on white image by Alexander Potapov from Fotolia.com

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