--- title: Can You Tell the Difference Between Termites and Flying Ants? description: Successfully getting rid of termites or carpenter ants in Massachusetts starts with proper identification. Here's how to tell the difference. image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/TERMITE%20SWARM.jpeg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Can You Tell the Difference Between Termites and Flying Ants? By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| May 2, 2024 10:00:00 AM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/termites-vs-flying-ants-massachusetts#comments-listing) It's that time of year, when the phones at the Burgess Pest office come alive with calls about winged insects. That's our surefire way of knowing springtime is in full swing, and [termite swarm season](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) has arrived. If you have winged insects in or around your home, it's important to correctly identify them in order to solve the problem. [Carpenter ant](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) and termite infestations require very different treatment methods, so knowing the difference is key to successful elimination. \[click to enlarge\] [![Termites vs Flying Ants Graphic](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/SPRING%202024%20GUIDEBOOK%20(2).png?width=393&height=509&name=SPRING%202024%20GUIDEBOOK%20(2).png)](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/TERMITES%20VS%20FLYING%20ANTS.png)   Antennae: Termite antennae are straight, while ant antennae are bent or "elbowed". Wings: Both ants and termites have two sets of wings. Termite wings will be uniform in length and longer than the body; flying ants have two sets of wings that are uneven in length and shorter than the body. Body: A termite will have a soft body and broad waist, while ants have a hard body and "pinched" waist. --- Because both [termites](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/signs-of-termites-massachusetts)and [carpenter ants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/get-rid-of-carpenter-ants-massachusetts) can cause costly damage to your home (which is not covered by insurance in the majority of cases), it's best to call a[ professional](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/wood-not-recommend-diy-termite-control-massachusetts) at the first sign of a problem. The team at Burgess Pest comes equipped with the know-how and the latest technology to [Protect Your Pad](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) from termites, ants, and dozens of other pests - and an estimate is always free. P.S. For even more information and tips about termites, ants, and anything else that's bugging you, check out our free [2024 Spring Pest Guidebook](https://info.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rhode-island-spring-pest-guidebook-2024)! 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