Both species are similar in size and appearance, live in colonies and are often confused with each other.
Ants and termites have characteristics that are strikingly in several ways. Both termites and ants are well known for causing wood damage. There are ways you could spot the differences between termites and ants. If you could take a closer look at both insects, you'd notice a significant difference.
Looking at an ant's body, it has a thorax, narrow around the waist, compressed and well-defined at the abdomen area. Termites have no narrowing on their bodies, have no waist and a more rectangular, thick body.
An ant antennae is bent or "elbowed", while the termite's antennae are straight, shorter and have tiny beads around the antennae.
Flying ants are dark coloured, brow, or reddish and are often seen in new colonies searching for food while the termites are transparent, light or creamy white with no brown colouring.
Both insects are often mistaken for one another. Check out their differences below.
Carpenter ants are pests that can be found in moist soil, trees, and many other places. They are mostly seen moving in colonies in search of food. Flying ants (black, brown etc.) are mostly reproductive during harsh weather. Flying ants and workers are generally seen above the ground moving in a colony to their nests. Ants use the woods to create a nest. This nest is where they inhabit.
Termites are pests that inhabit woods, swarm places and mud tubes. Termites feed on wood while carpenter ants don't eat wood.
Mud tubes climbing the foundations and corners of your home.
Damaged and falling wood.
Discarded termite wings littered around your house.
Floor and ceiling damage.
Discoloured and falling paint.
Tiny pinholes on the walls.
Even though several ways to notice termites have invaded your house, the above are the most important clues.