What's the easiest way to tell termites from ants?

Look at antennae: termites have straight antennae, ants have elbowed (bent) antennae. Also check waist: termites have thick waists, ants have pinched waists.

Do termites and ants both swarm?

Yes, both swarm to reproduce. Termite swarmers appear in spring/summer with equal wings. Carpenter ant swarmers have unequal wings and appear year-round.

Can ants damage wood like termites?

Carpenter ants tunnel through wood but don't eat it. Termites eat wood. Ant damage is cleaner galleries; termite damage has mud lining.

Which is worse: termites or carpenter ants?

Termites cause more damage because they eat wood. Carpenter ants tunnel but don't consume wood. Both require professional treatment if found.

Termites vs. Ants

Key differences in body structure, behavior, and damage patterns.

TL;DR: Termites have straight antennae, thick waist, equal wings. Ants have elbowed antennae, pinched waist, unequal wings. Termites eat wood; ants tunnel through it. — Early warning signs or call (833) 404-3632.

5 Key Differences

Antennae: Termites have straight antennae. Ants have elbowed (bent) antennae. This is the easiest visual difference.

Waist: Termites have thick, uniform waists. Ants have pinched waists (constricted middle). Very distinctive.

Wings: Termite swarmers have equal-length wings. Ant swarmers have unequal wings (front wings longer than back wings).

Wood damage: Termites eat wood, leaving hollow galleries with mud lining. Ants tunnel through wood but don't eat it, leaving cleaner galleries.

Behavior: Termites work in darkness and mud tubes. Ants are visible and active in daylight. Termites are silent; ants leave visible trails.

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Termites	Ants
Antennae	Straight, beaded	Elbowed (bent)
Waist	Thick, uniform	Pinched, constricted
Wings (swarmers)	Equal length, shed in pairs	Unequal length, front longer
Body color	Pale, cream, or light brown	Dark brown or black
Wood damage	Hollow galleries with mud lining	Clean tunnels, no mud lining
Activity	Hidden in mud tubes or wood	Visible trails, active in daylight
Frass (droppings)	Pellet-like, uniform size	Fine sawdust-like particles
Swarming season	Spring/summer (varies by region)	Year-round (varies by species)

Visual Identification Tips

If You See Swarmers

Termite swarmers: Pale or light brown, straight antennae, equal wings, appear in spring/summer. Shed wings in organized piles.

Ant swarmers: Dark colored, elbowed antennae, unequal wings (front longer), appear year-round. Wings scattered randomly.

If You See Damage

Termite damage: Hollow galleries inside wood, mud lining on galleries, wood still structurally intact but weakened, pellet-like frass.

Ant damage: Clean tunnels through wood, no mud lining, sawdust-like frass, wood still mostly intact but weakened.

If You See Activity

Termites: Hidden in mud tubes or inside wood. Rarely visible. Mud tubes on foundation or walls are a major sign.

Ants: Visible trails, especially near food sources. Active in daylight. Visible nests or mounds.

Common Questions

Do carpenter ants cause as much damage as termites?

No. Carpenter ants tunnel through wood but don't eat it. Termites consume wood, causing more extensive damage over time. However, carpenter ants still require professional treatment.

Can I have both termites and ants in my house?

Yes, it's possible but uncommon. They prefer different conditions. If you suspect both, professional inspection is essential to identify what you're dealing with.

Which swarms first: termites or ants?

Timing varies by region and species. In many areas, termites swarm in spring (March–May) and ants swarm later (May–July). Both indicate reproductive activity.

How do I know if it's a termite or ant problem?

Look for: mud tubes (termites), straight antennae (termites), thick waist (termites), equal wings (termites). If unsure, professional inspection is the best option.

Next Steps

If you've identified termites or ants, consider these actions: