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Ants or termites?

Do I have ants or termites?

Ants are a very common pest in south Florida. Termites are as well. Many times these pests are confused for one another. This mistake can cost you THOUSANDS!

 

Some companies take advantage of customers who make that mistake. Some companies make that mistake themselves. Not Hero Pest Solutions! And not you after reading the difference between these bugs yourself!

Differences in physical appearance

Ants and termites can look very similar. They are small, dark-colored, winged bugs. There are also many differences. Comparing them up-close can help distinguish your exact problem.

Ants
Ant body Hero Pest Solutions
Ants with wings Hero Pest Solutions

Head

Thorax

Abdomen

As seen above, the bodies of ants, (winged or not), have THREE segments: head, thorax, and abdomen.

Termites
Termite picture Hero Pest Solutions

Head

Abdomen

By comparison, the winged termite looks different than the winged ant. The termite body only has TWO segments: head and abdomen. Some other physical differences you may notice:

  • Ant antennae are bent, termite antennae are straight

  • Ant wings are different sizes, termite wings are equal size

Ants
Termites

Differences in droppings or frass

Another source of confusion is the similarities in termite droppings, termite frass (damage or mud), and ant mounds. Both can be dark-colored piles of what looks like dirt, randomly appearing throughout your home. These piles are commonly found up against baseboards, doorways, or even scattered in the middle of the floor! There are distinct differences that can help you determine what these piles actually are.

 

Ants will bring dirt, (from outside or under your home), inside to create mounds. These mounds are actually their attempt to creating ant hills, the same technique they use outdoors. The purpose of these mounds is to protect their colony from predators, like spiders or lizards.

 

Drywood termite droppings are not dirt, but excrement, (poop), that has fallen from tunnels, (or galleries), they bore through wood. Their droppings are actually little balls of wood, and can be any shade of brown, from light beige to reddish-brown, to dark brown, and even black.  They can be in small, neat piles that look like small pyramids or completely scattered. 

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Subterranean termite evidence resembles water damage on wood or drywall. Their frass and droppings are used with dirt to create mud tubes. This mud can look caked on and may even be hard. After scraping away the mud, damage (and termites) can be usually seen underneath. Subterranean damage resembles shredded, waterlogged wood.  

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CLICK HERE to help identify what termite you may have.

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If you are still unsure of your specific problem, feel free to contact us and we will help you FREE OF CHARGE. We offer free in-home inspections to help indentify your issue and treatment options. You can also email us photos of your issue and we may be able to identify exactly what you're dealing with.

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