What Do Termites Look Like? How Tell Them Apart from Other Insects

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Plus, how to tell if you have an infestation and how to treat it
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Termites can cause major damage to your home, but many people confuse them with flying ants and other bugs. In this article, we’ll teach you how to identify a termite by looking at its wings, antennae, body shape, and size. We also spoke with pest control professionals Hussam Bin Break and Joshua Bloom for the best advice on how to get rid of an infestation and prevent termites from coming back.

Termite Identification Guide

Termites are usually ¼ to ½ an inch long, with tube-like bodies and straight antennae. They can be pale white to light brown in color, but swarming termites look darker. Reproductive termites have 4 wings of the same size, which they use to jump or fly. Soldier and worker termites do not have wings.

Section 1 of 4:

How to Identify Termites

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  1. All termites have 2 straight, beaded antennae that may droop. They also have uniform, tube-like bodies that do not cinch in near the waist. [1]
    • Unlike termites, ants have a narrow constriction at the top of their abdomen, which looks like a cinched waist. Their antennae are relatively smooth and bend at a ninety-degree angle. [2]
  2. Worker termites are the most common type of termite, and they’re between ⅛ to ⅜ an inch long. Soldier termites are slightly bigger than workers because they have large mandibles, or protruding jaws to defend the colony against invaders. Reproductive termites (also called alates or flying termites) range from ½ to 1 inch long. [3]
    • Each termite colony has different castes, or functional roles within the group. The caste system is divided into reproductive, soldier, and worker termites, and each caste has a distinctive size and look. [4]
    • If possible, catch a termite in a mason jar so you can inspect it closely. Pick up the termite by gently clasping it between your thumb and forefinger, or by trapping it between a jar and a piece of paper. [5]
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  3. Depending on the type of termite you find, it can be pale or dark. Worker termites are cream-colored and have a soft, transparent exoskeleton. Soldier termites are usually white, pale red, or light brown in color. Reproductive termites tend to be dark brown or black. [6]
  4. Reproductive termites have 4 wings that are roughly the same size and are translucent in color. [7] When folded back, the wings look like a single opaque wing that’s about twice as long as the termite’s body. [8]
    • Worker and soldier termites do not have wings.
    • Unlike termites, ants have 4 wings that are tinted brown, and their front wings are longer than their hind wings. [9]
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Section 2 of 4:

Signs of a Termite Infestation

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  1. If you suspect you have an infestation in your home, tap on your walls with the head of a screwdriver. [10] Hollow-sounding wood could mean you have an infestation. According to Bloom, “termites are often found below or at grade areas of a structure where moisture is present.” So, inspect the base of your wall near the soil line and look for any entryways in your floor. [11]
    • Sagging floors, peeling paint, and dark or blistered areas on wood paneling are also signs of an infestation. [12]
  2. If you find a reproductive termite in your home, there’s a high chance that you have an infestation. [13] Reproductives are the colony members responsible for mating, and once they find a place to lay their eggs, they’ll settle down and start building their nest. While they do not cause structural damage themselves, they do form colonies of worker termites that feed on wood and may attack your home. [14]
    • Swarming (when termites reproduce and form new colonies) usually occurs in “late spring and early fall,” according to Break. It tends to happen in the daytime, especially on warm days after a storm. [15]
    • After reproductive termites mate, they lose their wings. If you see piles of silvery, membranous wings that are about ¼ of an inch long, it could be a sign of an infestation. [16]
  3. Termites feed on wood, then produce hard fecal pellets that have small dimples or ridges. The pellets are about 1/25 of an inch long, and they often show up in piles near walls or any areas where the termites have built a colony. [17]
    • Keep in mind that some termites use their droppings as construction material for tunnels. If you have subterranean termites, for example, you might not notice droppings in your home. [18]
  4. Some termites build mud tubes on foundation walls or in cracks. [19] They’re made out of soil, saliva, and droppings, and are used to protect the colony from sunlight and predators. [20] If you see one, Break advises to “dig around the area with your hands” to see if there are termites inside.
    • Common areas for mud tubes include where the sill plate joins your foundation wall, where support beams meet your flooring, and behind baseboards. These tubes are usually the thickness of a pencil. [21]
  5. Termites are usually silent, but soldiers can bang their head against the wall to recruit additional workers or attract other soldiers for defense. [22] This produces a soft clicking or rustling sound, but it may be difficult to hear in a busy household.
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Section 3 of 4:

How to Treat a Termite Infestation

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  1. According to Bloom, the top way to get rid of termites is to “contact a reputable pest control company.” A termite infestation can cause major damage to your home, so it should be treated by a professional. [23] Take time to do your research, and select a company that is licensed with the Department of Agriculture. [24]
    • A company that's a member of the National Pest Management Association is also a plus.
    • Contact 2-3 companies to get estimates. It can be costly to deal with termites, so make sure you seek out the best deal.
    • Termites can cause damage, but do so slowly. It's okay to take some time selecting a quality company. [25] If a company uses scare tactics to pressure you into signing a contract quickly, this is probably not a good company.
    EXPERT TIP

    Hussam Bin Break

    Pest Control Professional
    Hussam Bin Break is a Certified Commercial Pesticide Applicator and Operations Manager. He and his brother Hussam co-founded Diagno Pest Control in the greater Philadelphia area in 2018, and have since expanded their services to include the New Jersey market. Diagno Pest Control has received Home Advisor's Top Rated and Elite Service Badges for quality of work and customer service.
    Hussam Bin Break
    Pest Control Professional

    Did You Know? A pest control company can help you install a termite monitoring system. These systems are made from a piece of wood with a plastic cap and cardboard. Check it every 6 months for signs of termite damage to tell you whether they're in the ground around your home.

  2. Depending on the type of termites you have, treatment will vary. They're usually treated with liquids and baits, but you can use non-chemical treatments if you want to avoid insecticides. This includes physical barriers, steel mesh, and biological control agents. [26]
    • You should also discuss how much of your home you want to treat. Sometimes, a termite infestation can be cleared up with spot treatments or by treating the perimeter of your home. Other times, your entire house will need to be treated.
  3. When using chemicals, your pest control company will give you specific instructions. You may have to stay out of your home for a certain period of time or remove your pets. [27]
    • Consult a physician if you have a medical condition that may be worsened by exposure to chemicals.
  4. Treating a termite infestation is complicated and requires a specific set of skills. To properly eradicate an infestation, you should not attempt to treat it yourself. [28]
    • Always talk to a professional exterminator to go over treatment options.
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Section 4 of 4:

Frequently Asked Questions

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  1. Yes, reproductive termites (also known as alates) have wings that allow them to “jump” and fly. During the swarming season, they fly away to mate and create their own colonies. [29]
  2. While it depends on the specific type of termite, workers and soldiers typically live 1-2 years. Reproductive termites have the longest lifespan in the colony, usually surviving for 10 or more years. [30]
  3. Termites thrive in moist soil, so it’s important to use a concrete foundation and leave a ventilation space between the soil surface and structural wood beneath a building. After construction, keep the soil around the foundation as dry as possible through proper grading and drainage. Cover exposed wood with sealant or paint, and fix cracks, leaks, and exterior defects as soon as possible. [31]
    • Break advises to keep “vegetation and trees at least 6 to 12 inches away from your house.”
    • Do not pile or store wood next to your house, and perform periodic inspections to ensure termite colonies do not form. [32]
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      • If you’re not sure whether you’re dealing with termites, put one in a glass jar and bring it to a pest control specialist. You could also contact the entomology department at your local university for identification.
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      References

      1. ↑ https://manoa.hawaii.edu/ctahr/termite/alateproject/idguide/
      2. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
      3. ↑ https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/termite/
      4. ↑ https://genent.cals.ncsu.edu/bug-bytes/social-insects/termites/
      5. ↑ https://growforit.ces.ncsu.edu/growforit-programs/nc-state-fair-insect-collection/creating-insect-collections/
      6. ↑ https://texasinsects.tamu.edu/termite/
      7. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
      8. ↑ https://extension.arizona.edu/sites/extension.arizona.edu/files/pubs/az1356.pdf
      9. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/ants-and-termites-how-tell-difference/
      1. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG097
      2. ↑ https://extension.entm.purdue.edu/publications/E-4/E-4.html
      3. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/termites/
      4. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG097
      5. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termite-swarmers-what-do-they-mean-for-you
      6. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termites-biology-and-control
      7. ↑ https://extension.umd.edu/resource/termites/
      8. ↑ https://owic.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/pubs/termites.pdf
      9. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG097
      10. ↑ https://owic.oregonstate.edu/sites/default/files/pubs/termites.pdf
      11. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG097
      12. ↑ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG097
      13. ↑ https://exploresound.org/2017/06/termite-head-banging-sounding-alarm/
      14. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termite-swarmers-what-do-they-mean-for-you
      15. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/tips-selecting-pest-control-service
      16. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termite-swarmers-what-do-they-mean-for-you
      17. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
      18. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them
      19. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termites-biology-and-control
      20. ↑ https://content.ces.ncsu.edu/termite-swarmers-what-do-they-mean-for-you
      21. ↑ https://museumpests.net/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/Subterranean-Termite.pdf
      22. ↑ https://ipm.ucanr.edu/QT/termitescard.html
      23. ↑ https://www.epa.gov/safepestcontrol/termites-how-identify-and-control-them

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To identify a termite, examine the insect closely for 4 wings that are the same size as the insect's body. If the wings are different sizes, it's probably an ant. Termites also have 2 straight antennae, whereas ant antennae are curved. Additionally, termite bodies can be dark brown, black, white, and sometimes even translucent. If you see these insects and notice crumbling wood or chipped paint in your home, you may have a termite infestation. For tips on dealing with a termite infestation, read on!

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