Do You Know The Difference Between Termites & Ants?

I attended a MLS class today about termites and wood infestation.  It was extremely interesting even for a veteran from Orkin pest control thirty years ago.  In East Tennessee we are going to encounter subterrian termites.  Termites and flying ants are very similar.  The most apparant difference is termites have a straight body and ants have a jointed body.  Termites have 2 wings that are the same size and ants have 2 separate sized sets of wings.  Termites have straight antennae while ants is bent.  Termites wings will fall off while ants do not.  Do not be duped by a termite man that just wants to sell a treatment learn the difference between termite damage and carpenter ant damage.  Termites always leave dirt behind and build tunnels.  Termites will follow the grain of the wood when eating the wood and leave a dirt residue behind.  Carpenter Ants are very good house keepers and do not leave a residue.  Termites are building tunnels to travel through.  Carpenter ants are building nest in the wood.  Carpenter ants are nocturnal.  When you encounter a swarm termites have hundreds of swarmers.  Ants have a small number of swarmers.  Termites eat cellulose and remember that includes paper such as books and boxes.  Just because it visually appears to be fine does not mean it is.