Is it a termite or an ant?
How to keep termites from moving in
Keep out other pests, too
Learn more about pest prevention

Is it a termite or an ant?

Termites cause more damage to homes than fires, tornadoes, hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes combined.

Most people don't know they have termites unless they see a swarm in the spring. That's why we recommend annual inspections to check for visible termite activity.

But ants swarm, too. How can you tell if the cloud of insects you're seeing are just winged ants or hungry termites? See the table below for clues.

Ant or Termite?

Ants		have a tiny "waist" where the rear body part (abdomen) attaches to the middle body part (thorax) antennae are "elbowed" or jointed two pairs of wings, the back pair shorter than the front pair wings have distinct cross veins shaped like long triangles
Termites		have a thick "waist" that gives them straight sides antennae look like strings of beads two pairs of wings, front and back pairs are nearly the same size and length wings have very few visible veins

 

Winged Ant

Swarming Termite

Call Protex Service for a FREE estimates on termite treatments.

How to keep termites from moving in

Termites are everywhere. They are one of the ways nature cleans up, destroying dead tree trunks and fallen limbs. Unfortunately, termites don't care if the wood they munch on is part of your house!

There are some things you can do to make it harder for termites to move in.

• stack firewood, lumber, and other wooden items several feet away the building
• use pressure-treated wood for any construction that touches the ground
• keep wood supports for decks, porches, or sheds at least one foot away from the building foundations
• keep decorative wood chips and mulch, including cedar and redwood, at least a foot away from the foundation - better still, use pebbles or sand instead
• repair leaking water lines and faucets - termites like it damp
• repair eaves, gutters, or shingles that allow wooden parts of the building to get damp when it rains
• keep moisture out of crawl spaces
• keep frequently watered garden beds as far from the building foundation as possible
• change outdoor lighting to yellow bulbs, especially in the spring when night-swarming termites would be attracted to the white light

• keep trash (or even piles of usable materials) away from the building
• keep entry points into the building, like ducts, vents, and chimneys, clear and cleaned
• take out the garbage every day and store it in closed containers away from the building
• wash dishes after each meal
• wipe up spills as soon as they happen
• clean under furniture, sinks, and appliances
• never leave food out where it could be accessible to pests
• keep storage areas dry (roaches love dark, damp places)
• seal around pipes where they come through the floor and walls, especially in kitchen, bath, and laundry room
• store pet foods in covered containers
• keep pet dishes clean
• inspect new houseplants or plants that you bring inside for the winter to make sure they aren't infested with insects (be sure to check the soil for ants)
• repair holes in window screens
• eliminate standing water around the house to prevent mosquitoes from breeding