They may look alike, but these pests cause different kinds of trouble
Ants have a recognizable body shape, with three distinguishable segments.
Termites also have three body segments, but ants have narrow waists.
Ants are omnivores, while termites feed on wood.
Ants have a bended antennae and termites have a straight, beaded antennae.
Termites live longer and can be far more destructive than ants.
If you need to determine whether a pest in your home is a termite or ant, start by taking a closer look. Ants have a distinct, three-segment body shape, with a bent antennae. On the other hand, termites have a straight and beaded antennae. Let’s review how to distinguish termites vs. ants by how each insect looks, behaves, and eats.
There are several key differences to consider when determining whether you’re dealing with termites vs. ants. Their appearance is often a key giveaway.
| Type of Difference | Termites | Ants |
|---|---|---|
| Size | ¼–½ inch | ⅛–1 inch |
| Color | White or translucent | Red, brown, or black |
| Number of Legs | 6 legs | 6 legs |
| Host Preference | Wood | Plants or animals |
| Habitat | Wood | Soil |
| Disease | None | Can carry disease |
From a distance, termites and ants can look quite similar. Some ants may have wings, which can further make it difficult to tell flying ants vs. termites apart. But take a closer look at their wings, antennae, and waists to determine whether you have a termite vs. ant infestation.
Termites and ants have a variety of sizes, so their length isn’t a great way to tell them apart. Different types of termites and ants can be quite small, or they may have queens well over 1 inch long. Most termites are less than ½ inch long.
Termites and ants are usually quite different in color. If you’ve ever had an outdoor picnic or cookout, you’re certainly familiar with brown or black ants crawling near your food. Of course, you can’t forget the vicious and bright-red fire ants. Meanwhile, termites are lighter in color, usually white, off-white, or even translucent.
Take a look at the abdomen of the insects in your home to tell the difference between termites vs. ants. Ants have a well-defined, pinched-looking waist, while termites have wider bodies that are almost rectangular.
Termites have straight antennae that appear beaded. In contrast, ants have a sharper bend in their antennae, making them easy to tell apart.
Both termites and ants are insects with six legs. Ants tend to have thinner, longer legs, while termites usually have thicker, shorter legs.
While you can usually differentiate termites vs. ants based on their appearance alone, they also differ greatly in their preferred food sources.
Ants have a reputation for getting into human foods, as they are looking for plant- and animal-based food sources. Even carpenter ants prefer to eat other insects or human foods, although their name implies they eat wood (they do nest in wood, but they don’t eat it).
In contract, termites feed on and nest in wood. Different types of termites may eat different woods. For example, drywood ants may eat on wood in walls or floors, while dampwood termites prefer moist or rotting wood. That’s why a termite specialist will check all wood sources for signs of these pests during a termite inspection.
Although many ants work overnight, you may spot active ants any time of the day. Different types of termites may be active at different times of the day. For instance, drywood termites may be active through the night, while subterranean termites tend to be more active during the day.
Most ant species live in soil or other plants, while termites live either underground (subterranean termites) or in wood, such as in wood structures of buildings, furniture, or trees.
Termites and carpenter ants have similarities in their habitat preferences, as both nest in sources of wood. The difference is that termites also eat the wood, making them an even more destructive pest.
Termites and ants have very different life cycles, with five stages for termites and four for ants. Ants tend to live shorter lives than termites.
Termites tend to live longer lives than ants, and they can be quite destructive during their lifespan, which is why it’s essential to get rid of termites in your home. These insects have five stages of their lifecycle: egg, larva, nymph, molt, and adult. Worker termites live about one to two years, while swarmer termites, which are responsible for reproduction, live about three to four years. A termite queen can live a few decades.
Ants have much shorter lifespans broken into four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Like termites, ant colonies have queens, which may live well over 15 years. The worker ants have much shorter lifespans, usually only a few weeks up to a few months.
Termites and ants pose different risks to human health. Termites tend to pose less issues in terms of illness and disease but can be extremely destructive to buildings, putting families in danger. Meanwhile, ants may carry harmful bacteria; some ants bite or sting.
Termites are not known to carry any diseases that can harm humans. But the feces, dust, and other particles they leave behind from feeding, nesting, or reproducing can cause allergic reactions. Also, because termites can cause extensive damage to structures and furniture, they can pose a danger to humans by creating less stable structures or by allowing better conditions for mold growth.
Anyone who has ever had an encounter with fire ants knows how painful their stings can be. Some ant species may bite or sting, which can be painful. For some people, these bites or stings may also cause serious allergic reactions. Because ants seek out sources of food and moisture, they can also carry food-borne illnesses, such as shigella or salmonella.
Both termites and ants are looking for food, so eradicating their preferred food source is a good way to prevent these pests from coming into your home. The difference for preventing termites vs. ants is that they have different diets to consider.
If you need to hire an exterminator, you’ll spend about $600 on average for the cost of termite treatments, depending on the size, severity, and location of the infestation. On the other hand, you can expect to pay around $150 for the cost of ant extermination.
Getting rid of termites is a difficult task, so preventative measures are a must. Caulking gaps around the home can help keep termites from coming into your home, and you can install physical barriers to keep subterranean termites at bay. Swap cardboard storage boxes for plastic alternatives. One of the best options for preventing termites is to schedule regular termite inspections about once per year and hiring a local termite control company to eradicate infestations as soon as possible.
The best way to prevent or get rid of ants is to eliminate their food sources. Wiping counters, cabinets, tables, and other surfaces of any sticky spills or crumbs is a good start. Regularly cleaning floors will also help. If you have any leaks around the house, the water can attract ants. Storing food in airtight containers is another way to deter these pests.
Ant and termite infestations look very different. Since termites feed on wood, one of the warning signs of their presence is drooping drywall, peeling paint, loose floor tiles, and crumbling wood. On the other hand, ants feed on plant- and animal-based food options, so you’ll likely spot a colony near your home’s food sources. If you’re unsure what type of pest infestation you have, hire a pest control specialist to inspect for you.
Both termites and carpenter ants may munch on the wood in your home, but this type of ant primarily uses it for nesting and shelter. Unlike termite, they likely won’t cause serious structural damage to wood features like decks. If the wood in or outside of your home has signs of damage, consult a pest control specialist to get to the bottom of the cause.
There are some clear signs of a termite infestation, including damaged drywall, bubbling under paint, peeling paint, sagging or loose boards, and more. Termites typically leave behind a trail on the surface and interior of your drywall as they chew through it. Look for small, pin-sized holes in drywall or wallpaper to determine whether termites have made their way inside.
