Is This An Ant Or A Termite? How To Tell The Difference
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Scientifically reviewed by Dr. Siavash Taravati
Published: 2026-Jan-30
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If you’ve found a small winged or wingless insect in your home and aren’t sure whether it’s an ant or a termite, you’re not alone, as this is one of the most common identification questions homeowners have. While ants and termites may look similar at first glance, they differ in body shape, antennae, wings, movement, and behavior. All these differences can help you identify them quickly.
Quick identification chart for flying and non-flying ants and termites
If you suspect winged or flying ants or termites in your building, it's important to properly identify the insects. Not all tiny black insects are termites or ants, as there are several lookalikes. You may call a pest control company and request a termite inspection. A pest control technician can perform an inspection, collect, and identify your insect specimens. Nevertheless, nothing stops you from identifying the specimens yourself. Here are a few images that can help you distinguish between ants and termites. If you look at the image below, you will see that there are several noticeable differences between ants and termites. The table below summarizes these differences.
Table 1: Differences between ants and termites.
| Feature | Ants | Termites |
|---|---|---|
| Wings | Front wings are larger than hind wings | Front and hind wings are about the same size |
| Body shape | Elongated with a clear waist or constriction | Elongated with no constriction |
| Body color of winged insects (reproductives) | Varies between tan, yellow, red, brown, or black | Similar to ants |
| Body color of workers | Varies between tan, yellow, red, brown, or black | Usually whitish or off-white. Very different than most ants. Workers are hidden underground, or inside structural wood |
| Antennae | Two elbowed antennae with each one bent in the middle | Relatively straight or slightly bent, beaded, and without an elbow |
| Speed of movement | Move faster | Move slower |
Why am I seeing winged termites and ants
Termites and ants are social insects that live in a colony. They feed on various types of food and reproduce to expand their colony. Occasionally, termites and ants produce individuals that are destined to become future kings and queens and start new colonies. Unlike the regular workers, these individuals develop wings and start to emerge from their colony in small to large groups when the weather or seasonal conditions are suitable. That's exactly when you may see them flying inside or around your home or building.
What time of the year or day do termites and ants swarm
Swarming refers to the behavior of winged ants and termites when they emerge from their colony. They can be seen either in flight, landing, or walking on walls and floors. Different species of termites swarm at different times of the year and day. For example, the Formosan subterranean termite is known to swarm around dusk between April and June. On the other hand, the western drywood termites swarm on sunny days between August and December, but almost all-year-round in more inland areas. To learn more about termites and their management, please visit How To Identify Termites: Signs, Damage, And Treatment Options
Where flying termites come from
Winged termites or ants, also known as "swarmers", can be found anywhere inside or outside homes. Inside homes, you may find them on or around windowsills, on floors, countertops, in the kitchen or bathroom, etc. The exact location of swarming depends on where the ant or termite colony is. The closer a location to the colony, the more likely it is to find flying ants and termites or their bodies. Also, swarmer or winged insects are attracted to both window light and artificial light inside homes. That's one of the reasons that they are seen on windowsills and in areas near electric lights. Termites and ants may swarm outside homes and buildings too. They can be found on the perimeter of houses, on outdoor furniture, and on exterior windowsills. But again, they always come from a colony under the soil, inside structural wood such as pergolas, gazebos, soffits, and fascia. Others may come from wall voids or the landscape.
Wingless insects and shed wings
When ants and termites mate or land on adjacent areas, they start to shed their wings. As a result, the same winged individuals become wingless. This is when people start to see shed wings on floors and windowsills, with or without the live or dead termites. Seeing wings is a sign of past swarmings in buildings, and wings can be used for ants and termite identification.
Conclusion
Correctly identifying whether you’re dealing with ants or termites is the first step in protecting your home. While ants are often a nuisance, termites can cause serious structural damage if left untreated. If you’re unsure about your identification or continue to see swarmers indoors, a pest control company can help you confirm the issue early on.
