Comparing Ants and Termites: An Irritating Insect Examination

Termites and ants are regularly mistaken for each other. However, the two species have fewer similarities than they do differences. Keep reading and learn about these creatures in our termites vs. ants comparison.

Termites vs. Ants: An Insect Overview

Here’s a look at both species and their distinctive behaviors before we dive into their specific differences.

Ants

There are over 12,000 ant species. These powerful insects are capable of lifting 20 times their body weight. The queens can lay millions of eggs. As social animals, they live and travel in groups.

The colonies consist of a queen, female workers, and males. Some ant colonies have multiple queens. Though not known for flying, only the males and queens have wings. The male is responsible for impregnating the queen. Only the queen lays eggs.

Soldier ants act as defensive barriers, protecting the colony and guarding the queen. They attack other colonies looking to conquer and take food. The attackers even take the other colony’s eggs and hatch them to become slaves.

Termites

Termites feed on wood. The community is made up of kings, queens, swarmers, and workers. You differentiate swarmers and workers by noting workers are a cream color. Swarmers are the reproductive individuals in the colony, ensuring the queen termites lay eggs. Swarmers may lack wings as the appendages can fall off shortly after emergence.

Termites are detritivores, meaning they feed on wood and tree bark. The insects sustain themselves on cellulose in wood. In some cases, they will eat plants. If in dire need, termites may also feed on plastic, paper, and drywall.

These determined critters burrow deep into wood structures. They are usually discovered after creating significant damage to those structures. Once finding a home, termites quickly settle in. They build what’s called mud tubes. These structures serve as bridges between their food source and colony. Mud tubes protect the colony and conserve moisture. Mature termites will go off to start new colonies.

Comparing Ants vs. Termites

The following table compares the two species, highlighting major differences between them at a glance.

The 6 Key Differences Between Termites and Ants

Ants and termites are often assumed to be each other even though termites are never out in the open. There are many other things separating them too; here are six key differences between termites and ants.

1. Termites vs. Ants: Antennae

The ant is the only insect to have elbow-bent antennae. Termites have the usual straight antennae, but they look like they have balls or beads on them.

2. Termites vs. Ants: Body Shapes

Ants have narrow bodies, especially around the middle, or waist. Termites tend to have broader waists.

3. Termites vs. Ants: Wings

Both termites and ants have four wings. Termite wings are fairly uniform in size. Ants have two small wings on the hindquarters. The forewings are larger. Both insects can lose their wings. Exterminators say homeowners are more likely to discover discarded termite wings before they see the insects themselves.

4. Termites vs. Ants: Visibility

The ant ends up in different settings as they forage for sustenance. It’s why you’ll see ants boldly walking across your indoor and outdoor spaces. The most common areas where you’ll find them are on baseboards and window sills. Termites are subterranean. You’ll find signs of their work, such as droppings and wings, but you’ll rarely see termites.

5. Termites vs. Ants: Diets

Ants eat a variety of foods, including other insects. Termites primarily feed on cellulose found in wood, but they can also consume other materials like paper, cardboard, and some plant materials. They do not eat wood though. The insects instead feed on the cellulose in the wood. They shave the wood and extract the compound.

6. Termites vs. Ants: Attractants

Ants and termites of all types look for moisture. They both lean toward wood with easy points of entry. Of course, both insects are so tiny, that it doesn’t take much for them to find ways to invade our environments.