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Termites versus Ants

How do I tell termites from ants?

It is often difficult to determine the difference between termites and ants, however,

  • Ants generally do not swarm at the same time as termites, although it can happen.
  • Termites have a thick waist and ants have a narrow waist.
  • Termites have straight antennae and ants have elbowed antennae.
  • Termites have two pair of wings (front and back) that are of almost equal length.
  • Ants also have four wings, but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings.
Termites vs Ants

Termite Swarming

Large swarms of winged insects inside and/or around the home is the most obvious sign of termite activity.  Swarming occurs when reproductive male and female termites exit the colony and attempt to begin building a new colony.  Since it takes most termite colonies at least three years to produce termite swarms, this is a likely sign of an ongoing problem.

When do termites swarm?

The exact dates termites swarm vary each year according to geographic regions, species type and weather conditions.  Swarming season begins in February in the Charleston area and can last through May or early June.  As a general rule, most subterranean termites swarm under these conditions:

  • Daytime, usually mid-day.
  • Sunny.
  • Often following a rain.
  • Formosan termites are a notable exception in that they typically swarm in the early evening.

Other signs home owners should watch for

  • Dead termites or wings around windows, doors, heating vents, or in bath tubs and sinks, are certain signs of termite activity.
  • Termite mud tubes on walls located outside or inside the structure.  The tubes are either round of flat and usually measure at least 1/4 inch or wider.  They look like their name - a tube of mud.
  • Damaged wood.  Termites eat from the inside of the wood out, so damaged wood is sometimes very difficult to detect.  "Hollow" sounding wood should be inspected for termite damage.
  • Live termites.  Termites are sometimes found while doing home remodeling or repair.  Worker termites are small, whitish creatures that will quickly move away when exposed to light.

More info . . .