Spotting tiny winged insects near your home’s foundation or windowsills? Before you panic, it’s important to figure out what you're dealing with: termites or ants.
While these pests may look similar, they have distinct physical features, behaviors, and risks. Here's how to distinguish them—and when to call in a professional.
If you look closely at the antennae of the species you’re trying to identify to determine whether it’s an ant or a termite. While ants have elbowed or bent antennae, termites have straight antennae. Although this may seem like a subtle difference, it’s enough to tell the insects apart so you can proceed with extermination or other services should you need them.
If you’re close enough to compare the bodies of termites to ants, you’ll see that the abdomen on a termite has no defined waist. Ants, which have a well-defined, segmented body, are very narrow towards the mid-section.. If you can inspect both insects closely, this difference can help you determine which pest is present.
Ants are omnivores, so their diet consists of both plants and animals. They’re also attracted to debris from food, which is why you might have seen a line or group of ants surrounding waste from a public trash can or pet food bowl.
Termites, vs ants however, strictly consume cellulose-based items such as wood and paper. They’re more likely to be found in drywall, cardboard, insulation, wood, and other materials containing cellulose.
Curious about the types of termites common in Tucson? Check out our guide on Types of Termites in Tucson.
Both flying ants and winged termites have four wings and the appearance may help you determine which one you may be dealing with. Termites have wings that are equal in length and are longer than their bodies, while flying ants’ wings are unequal in length. An ant’s back hind wings are shorter than its front fore wings, and they are pretty proportional to their bodies. Termites also have very fragile wings that can fall off easily, and if you see fallen wings in your home, this can sometimes indicate an infestation.
While ants can be annoying, termites can silently cause thousands in structural damage. The earlier you identify them, the easier and more affordable it is to prevent long-term problems.
If you're unsure which pest you’re dealing with, don’t leave it to chance.
Visit our Termite Control Tucson page to learn how Essential Pest Control helps detect and treat infestations quickly and safely.
Misidentifying termites as ants—or ignoring signs altogether—can be a costly mistake. Use these tips to inspect your property, and when in doubt, call the professionals.
At Essential Pest Control, we’ve been protecting Tucson homes from ants, termites, and more since 1981.
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