Termites are often mistaken for ants. Some homeowners dismiss the termites as pesky ants or just flying insects and ignore them because they do not realize they are termites. Because of this dismissal they take no preventive science-based or extermination methods, thus allowing already established termite infestations to grow exponentially.
Telling the Differences Between Ants and Termites
It might help to identify the similarity and differences between the two. Ants have a distinct pinched waist while the termite is tube shaped. Termites and flying ants have four wings – but the termites’ are of equal size, while the flying ant’s wings are two distinct sizes. To an untrained eye flying termites resemble flying ants because they share some characteristics. Lastly, ants’ antennae have an elbow or bend, whereas termite antennae are straight.
Ant v. Termite Dwellings
Ants typically do not build tunnels, while subterranean termites create tunnels of mud, saliva, and fecal mater along homes and foundations that serve as entry points for above ground food sources.
Termites Hard to Detect
Termites are difficult to detect because they don’t come out into the open that often. Rather they prefer to stay in the mounds they create in the soil, just emerging when they identify a food source. Because they are hard to see they can be a destructive force when left unchecked. In fact the royalty (including king, queen and various castes), workers, soldiers and non-winged reproductives never leave the hidden areas so most of the colony is never even seen. They differ from ants in this regard – as ants tend to form pretty obvious trails as they forage for food to bring back to their colonies.
Mesa Termite News
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Termite Control Arizona
550 W BASELINE ROAD, STE 102
MESA, AZ 85210-2064
(480) 582-0996
