Termites vs. Ants

People tend to confuse termites with ants. While they may look very similar, they are actually very different. The problem is, you have to look at them close up. And they are both very tiny.

The following are enlarged images of termites. So if you're seeing some little pests crawling around, bust out the magnifying glass and lets do some comparison.

Comparing Termites and Ants

When it comes to evaluating termites vs ants it is always simplest to just use a couple of termite pictures.





The image here shows the difference between an ant and termite reproductive. The same things apply to the other termite and ant castes.

As you can see termites have a simple, straight antenna, compared to the ants elbowed antenna.

Termites are wide bodied, compared to an ants narrow midsection.

When examining a winged ant vs termite, you'll notice that termites wings are equally sized, while ants wings are smaller with the back set.

Those are some of the key characteristics you can use to tell the difference between ants and termites.

What do Termites Look Like?

When dealing with a termite problem, the first thing you want to do is make sure you are actually dealing with termites.

This tends to lead to the next obvious question: What do Termites Look Like?

Don't worry, most people haven't actually seen a termite before and they have no clue what a termite looks like. Termites are pretty sneaky bugs. They tend to stay underground or in the wood they are eating. This makes it rather hard to identify termites or there presence.

Termite Anatomy

Termites have 6 legs and 2 antenna like other small bugs. But close examination will reveal some very distinct characteristics.

Termite antenna are simple. The go out from the termites head with a simple outward curve. They are not bent like an ants antenna. These antenna also have the appearance of being made up of little beads.

The termites body is wide from head to torso. In fact a termites body gets continually wider as you move away from the head.

Due to their secretive nature, termites prefer to stay out of the light. They have pail semi-translucent bodies. Sometimes they are called white ants due to this light coloring. Some of the soldiers will have darker colored heads that appear to be a light copper color.

Termites are blind. Unlike many other insects that have compound eyes, termites have no eyes at all. They rely on scent and touch to get around.