Finding pests in or around your home can be rather alarming. Sometimes it can be hard to differentiate between an ant and a termite, but it is important to know the difference so you can effectively treat the problem. While both species look similar there are a few distinguishing characteristics that will help you in your identification.

So, what do termites look like? Both a termite and a carpenter ant have four wings, but the termites wings not only larger than its body, but are all the same size. A carpenter ants wings are larger in the front then in the back and sometimes have a black spot and viable veins. Also, a termites wings will easily break off. Finding broken wings around the area you found the pest could tell you that it might be a termite. Another common trait of a termite is its straight antennae and straight body. The carpenter ant has a bent antennae and a segmented body due to it's thin waist.

If you have determined that you have termites vs ants, it is helpful to identify which kind of termite you are dealing with. Though they will all destroy the wood surfaces in your home, knowing what you have can help you figure out the best course of treatment. Let us first consider dampwood termites. As the name suggests they infest damp and even wet wood. Dampwood termites are less likely to infest your home and more likely to live in fallen trees. However, they will find their way into your home if there are colony's already present near your home and they find wet wood in cracks and leaks. These termites are larger than the other types of termites, sometimes up to an inch. They are known for their reddish brown head and pincers with many teeth.

Next we have the Drywood termites who can survive in extremely dry wood. These termites will make their nest above ground and usually swarm at night. They are a yellowish brown color and are around 1/2 an inch long including it's wings. When looking at the front wings you will be able to clearly see three very dark and hardened veins.

Lastly we will look at the subterranean termite. This is the most destructive of all of the termites and unfortunately the most common. They survive best in a humid climate, but can make their homes anywhere, and can have a colony population of one million. The swarmers are 1/25 of an inch long including wings and are a pale yellowish brown. It's wings are almost translucent and covered in tiny hairs. The soilders have a round and forward tapered head with very large pincers. Once you have identified your termite you can now find the right extermination method for you.