Introduction
Ants are most often seen one at a time. In the spring, you may find large numbers of flying ants. These are the reproductive members of the colony. They indicate the presence of a mature colony nearby, and this is cause for concern. This colony must be found and destroyed immediately because ants are capable of doing severe structural damage if left untreated.
Ants are most often seen one at a time. In the spring, you may find large numbers of flying ants. These are the reproductive members of the colony. They indicate the presence of a mature colony nearby, and this is cause for concern. This colony must be found and destroyed immediately because ants are capable of doing severe structural damage if left untreated.
Identification
There are several kinds of ants that may occur in and around the home ranging in size from about 1/32 to 3/4 inch long and colored yellowish, light brown, reddish-brown, brownish-black or jet black. Ants, as all insects, have three body parts, head, thorax, and abdomen. Most are wingless, but the homeowner sometimes may confuse swarming, winged ants with swarming, winged termites, causing alarm. Ants pest control can be easily distinguished from termites by several characteristics:
There are several kinds of ants that may occur in and around the home ranging in size from about 1/32 to 3/4 inch long and colored yellowish, light brown, reddish-brown, brownish-black or jet black. Ants, as all insects, have three body parts, head, thorax, and abdomen. Most are wingless, but the homeowner sometimes may confuse swarming, winged ants with swarming, winged termites, causing alarm. Ants pest control can be easily distinguished from termites by several characteristics:
- Ant bodies appear constricted or pinched in at the
waist, while termites do not have the waist constriction.
- Ants have elbowed antennae, while termites have
straight, bead-like antennae.
- The forewings of ants are much larger than the hind
wings. Termites’ wings are equal in size and shape.
- Ant wings are transparent or brownish, while termite
wings are milky-white or grayish and longer than the body.
- Ant wings are firmly attached, while termite wings are
easily removed or shed (fall off).
