Nobody wants termites in their home or place of business—they can do a lot of expensive damage—so many property owners tend to keep an eye out for anything that looks like a termite. After all, catching them early and getting rid of them in a timely manner is key to minimizing the damage to a structure.
So how do you know if you have termites? And what other types of insects can be mistaken for termites?
What Do Termites Look Like?
Like other insects, termites have three body segments—a head, thorax, and abdomen—but unlike most other insects, their thorax and abdomen are not distinct from one another, so a termite appears to only have two body segments.
Termites range in size from an eighth of an inch to one inch long and can range in color from white to dark brown, depending on their type and age. Flying termites, known as swarmers, have two sets of equal-length wings on their bodies, which they shed in the spring.
Why Flying Ants Are Sometimes Confused with Termites
Sometimes we get called out to a Temecula property to take care of a termite situation, only to find out that the property has an ant problem. Winged ants look very similar to termites and the two are often mistaken for each other.
However, if you look closely, you will be able to tell the difference between ants and termites. Flying ants have two sets of wings just like termites; the difference is that the sets of wings on ant are two different lengths, although it is hard to see this, since the longer wings rest on top of the shorter wings.
Another way to tell a termite from an ant is to look at the body structure. An ant will have three very distinct body segments. Ants will also have a more obvious bend or “elbow” in their antennae, whereas termites have straight antennae.
If you think you have termites, it is always best to contact a termite treatment company since they specialize in identifying and treating termites. They will be able to tell with certainty whether you have termites, or if it is some other pest invading your home or place of business. Once the pest is properly identified, a Temecula pest control company like Knockout Pest Control & Termite can put together a plan to rid your property of the pest and set up a maintenance plan to help keep them from returning.
Contact Knockout Pest Control & Termite for expert advice and pest control in Temecula and the surrounding areas. We look forward to hearing from you!
