Appearance

Termites have straight antennae and wide bodies without pinched waists. They are characteristically black or dark brown. Swarmers, or flying termites, have clear front and back wings that are the same length.

In contrast, ants have elbowed antennae and pinched waists. Their bodies can be black, brown, or reddish. Flying ants have two pairs of brown-tinted wings that differ in size.

Behavior

Both ants and termites live in large colonies with designated caste systems. Termites can be found in decaying trees, stumps, wood debris, lumber, and the wooden members of a structure. Some ants, like carpenter ants, also inhabit wood and the wooden parts of structures. Termites can cause serious structural damage since they eat the wood, while carpenter ants do not eat wood and thus generally do not cause structural damage.

Diet

The diets of these two pests differ, as ants are omnivores and termites feed on cellulose, which is a nutrient-rich material found in plants. Ants primarily eat nectar, seeds, other insects, and food debris found around and inside homes. On the other hand, termites consume mainly wood, paper, and other cellulose-based products.

Life Cycle

Ants go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Worker ants live for a few months, while queens can live for years. In contrast, the termite life cycle includes egg, nymph (larvae), and adult phases. Most termites survive for a couple years, while termite queens may live for decades.

Both types of pests have similar reproductive cycles. During warm months, fertile winged ants and termites fly from their nests to mate and establish new colonies. In ant species, the male partners typically die after mating with the females. After termites mate, both male and female partners live on and continue to expand their new colonies. Both ants and termites lose their wings after mating.

In summary:

Termites have:

• – Straight antennae
• – Equal length wings
• – Straight waist

View all termites

Flying ants have:

• – Bent antennae
• – Unequal length wings
• – Pinched waist

In Early Spring 3C's rooms 6, 7, & 8 may have ants that are attracted to the crumbs on the floor. Arab sprays the perimiter of the room and the carpet edging which seems to eliminate them after 2 or 3 days.

These flying ants come out in the Main St. Hallway, near the mechanical room. If you sweep them up with a dustpan or vacuum they will be gone after a few days. There is no food or moisture for them.

If a mouse is found and captured to return to the outdoors they usually do not return.
There is a piece of steel wool in the Care Center basement door gap to keep mice out of the building. This can be improved upon with a new threshold by trimming the door to fit.
6/15/23