With so many insects crawling and flying around this spring it can be hard to tell which is which. Many insects do have a distinct size, shape, or color, but when it comes to ants and termites, many Wisconsin homeowners are left wondering what is invading their home or property. From the Wisconsin pest control pros at Terminix Wil-Kil here is a guide to learning the difference between ants and termites so you can act accordingly.
Ants
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Identification: Ants are small insects ranging from â…› of an inch to over ½ an inch depending on the species. Their colors can also range from red, to black, to brown, to combinations. The smaller ants commonly found in Milwaukee, Madison and throughout the region are the pavement ants, pharaoh ants, thief ants, and field ants. Carpenter ants are the larger ant species and also the more destructive species.
Flying ants: Commonly confused with flying termites, the flying ants can be identified due to their hourglass shaped body, elbowed antennae, and two sets of wings that are uneven in length.
Habits: Smaller ants are typically found inside home foraging for food. They will go after any tasty treats they can find in the kitchen. Carpenter ants on the other hand are going to find the wood in your home to carve out galleries for nesting.
Termites
Identification: Similar to the small ants, termite workers are very small at only about â…› of an inch. They are typically a creamy white or a grayish white color. The soldiers in the colony are a little larger than the workers and their heads are yellow and brown in color. They are also equipped with a prominent set of jaws.
Flying termites: Also known as swarmers, the flying termites can be easily confused with flying ants. But swarmers are identified as having a broad body, beaded antennae that are more straight, and two sets of wings that are equal in length.
Habits: Termites are wood destroying insects. Rather than just carving galleries in wood like the carpenter ants, termites eat wood to get the cellulose that is inside. They work quietly and slowly which allows them to go undetected for a long period of time. Often times they’re detected when it is too late and the structural damage has been done.
In either case whether you have identified ants or termites it is important to contact your local WI pest control company for eradication. Due to the large number of these insects in colonies of both ants and termites, they are not something that a homeowner should try to tackle on their own. Also, you don’t want to take a chance with carpenter ants and termites who could have already caused structural damage in your home.
For those living in Eau Claire, Green Bay, Milwaukee or elsewhere in Wisconsin, contact Terminix Wil-Kil today to get started on a pest control service to eliminate and prevent ants and termites on your property.
Are They Ants or Termites? in Sun Prairie, WI
Terminix Wil-Kil Pest Control is a local Pest Control and Extermination company helping homeowners and businesses with pest issues across WI.