Harmful or Harmless?

BJ's quiz on the difference between a termite and a winged ant.

Termite on left and winged ant on left
Which one of these small flying insects would create alarm for homeowners?  One is a termite and the other an ant.

There are three key differences between a winged ant and an adult termite:
  1. Winged ants have a cinched waist (like a wasp, hence the name "wasp waist").  The termite waist is thick.
  2. The winged ant has elbowed antennae (bent).  The termite's antennae are straight.
  3. Termites have two pairs of wings that are equal in length and generally are much longer than its own body.  The winged ant has wings pairs that are unequal.

Did you figure out which one is the termite?  If you said the one on the left, you would be correct!

If the insects swarming near the house are more like the one on the right, don't worry.  Individual ants leave the group and generally don't return.  If you find a winged ant or two, just sweep them up.  If the insects are more like the one on the left, future action is generally necessary.

More information about termites and other common insects, visit http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topic_termites

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