What Does a Termite Look Like?
A termite’s appearance depends on its place in the colony. Individual types, or castes, have a specific role to fulfill. While each has distinct attributes, some shared characteristics can help you determine what termites look like in your home or business. These include:
- Pale, cream-colored bodies
- Plump with no defined waist
- Straight antennae that look like a string of beads
Workers
Termite workers make up most of a colony’s population. They are a quarter of an inch long, and they don’t have eyes or wings. These pests do the most damage by feeding on wood and boring mud-lined tunnels that weaken structures.
Soldiers
Soldiers termites look like workers in many ways. However, they have elongated heads and dark-colored mandibles. Fewer of them exist in a colony, but this pest acts as the primary defense against possible intruders and breaches in tunnels.
Winged Reproductives
Winged reproductives are the kings and queens of future colonies. They are dark brown or black, about half an inch long, and have two pairs of wings that fall off after the termites mate. Shed wings are often a tell-tale sign of infestation.
What Do Termites Look Like Compared to Ants?
Termites with wings look similar to winged carpenter ants. A termite’s wings are all equal in size and double the length of their body. Ants, on the other hand, have wings that only cover their bodies. Ants also have narrow waists, whereas a flying termite does not.
Termite damage often goes unnoticed until there are visible signs, resulting in the need for costly repairs. Call Western Pest Services to prevent and remove termites from your home or business before it’s too late.