If you think you have a home invader chewing on your wooden frame, then it could either be ants or termites. If this is the case, it will help if you determine the exact culprit. Both of them are damaging to your home, and if you wish to get rid of them, pest control requires you to have the correct identification.

Both ants and termites are damaging and share many similarities, the least of which is that they are both notorious and can cause severe wood damage to homes. Here are some of the things that you can use to differentiate the two.

Physical Differences

Body Shape

When closely looking at their body shape, you will see that a termite has got no waist, and their body is more rectangular without any narrowing at the center.

In contrast, an ant has a highly well-defined constricted and narrow waist.

Antennae

These are the feelers, and they say a lot about the insect. The termite’s antennae are straight and beaded while the ants’ are bent and elbowed.

Wings

Both of these creatures are winged, and each one has got four wings.

The termite has wings that are equal in size and shape and longer than its body. While the ant’s hind wings are shorter than its front forewings, and they are not unusually longer than their disproportionate bodies.

One other thing is that the wings of a termite are not as durable as for ants. The termite wings fall off pretty quickly, and the loose wings can be seen around the opening of the termite’s nest, and they easily identify the start of a termite infestation.

Color

Ants are dark-colored or reddish, and they are frequently seen in the open foraging for food, while termite workers are light, creamy, and transparent in color. They avoid light and are rarely seen unless their nest has been disturbed.

Ants and Termites Pest Control Measures

Now, because both of these insects are different, effective pest control measures are also different when dealing with each.

Ants are usually controlled by eliminating the conditions that attract them, while termites generally require professional pest control measures.

Suppose you happen to have some winged ant-like insects. In that case, it’s best to collect a sample for identification which should be taken to an entomologist or a pest control professional who will first identify them and recommend the best treatment options.

Both of these insects will require a prolonged pest control approach to ensure that they are entirely removed and repelled from further infestation. A critical point of importance is to remove and replace any wooden structures that the insects have damaged.

For your home’s structure, an infestation by these insects can badly compromise it. Be on the lookout and take the appropriate measures.