Termite swarm season is coming in Massachusetts-- do you know the difference between a termite and a flying ant?

Over my years working in the pest management industry, I’ve found that one of my primary indicators of spring’s arrival is the first “I’m not sure if it’s ants or termites” phone call. Today was that day, ladies and gents. When in doubt, you should always consult a professional to identify termites in your Massachusetts home, but here’s a brief lesson on how you might be able to tell them apart with your own eye.

Body: Ants have distinct body parts and a “pinched” waist while termites have more uniformly shaped bodies with broad waists. The body of an ant is harder than that of a termite.

Antennae: Termite antennae are straight. Ant antennae are bent, or “elbowed”.

Wings: This can be the tricky part. Both flying ants and termite swarmers have two sets of wings. Ants’ wing sets will be different lengths while termite wings are all the same length. Termites shed their wings once they have found a mate, which is why a number of detached wings in an area can be one of the first signs of an infestation.

Termites and ants are treated differently in order to eliminate them. Because both can damage your property, it’s best not to wait or guess-- have a professional identify the problem as soon as possible and determine the best plan of action. The experts at Burgess Pest have the experience, the latest science, and the industry-leading treatment and control methods to Protect Your Pad from any pest.