Termites or Ants

Termites or Ants

Understanding Our Tiny Neighbors: Termites vs. Ants

Have you ever seen those small insects and wanted to know whether they are termites or ants? Though there are many similarities between termites and ants, Termites’ bodies are straight and their antennae are constant in width. They have the same size wings. Ants, however, have elbow-shaped antennae. Their waists are more tightly pinched than termites', and here as well the sizes of the wings are not uniform. If you notice these features, it's easy to tell which pest you’ve got on your hands.

A Closer Look at Termites and Ants

Termites: These guys are notorious for eating away at wood. They thrive on cellulose in plant material. If you've encountered wood that sounds hollow when knocked or noticed mud tubes coming out of it, termites might be the culprits.

Ants: These creatures are a bit more diversified in what they fancy for a home meal and where they dig in. Some dig into the ground, others tunnel through wood, and a few might move right into the place where you reside. See little piles of wood shavings near your windows or doors? That might mean carpenter ants have set up shop. They're also pretty good at finding food, so you may see trails of ants heading towards something sweet and tasty.

Winged Swarmers: Both termites and ants produce swarmers, and they use them to start new colonies. Termite swarmers have straight antennae and wings that are of equal length, while ant swarmers parade around proudly with those elbowed antennae and unequal wings. Seeing a heap of your winged pioneers land indoors could mean those are importunate visitors from outside.

How to Tell the Difference Between Carpenter Ants and Termites

Droppings and Frass: That's right, even their leftovers can give them away! Termite droppings resemble tiny, dark pellets and often pile up in small mounds. If these are discovered near mud tubes or damaged wood, termites are probably the culprits. Conversely, carpenter ants leave behind a sawdust-like frass from their wood-tunneling, usually found near the site of their nests.

What to Do Next

Where and how droppings and frass pile up may yield clues when you check them out. It may suggest an active bunch if the droppings are fresh, while older signs point to past issues that have already been resolved.

Need a Hand?

If you’re scratching your head about whether you’ve got termites or ants, don’t worry! It might be a good idea to call in the pros for a closer look. Catching these things early can save you a lot of hassle and keep your home safe and sound.

Alpha Termite Treatment Maylands offers all pest control services in Maylands and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6186 7439 or visit our website:

https://alphatermitetreatment.com.au/