Tehachapi News

Are they termites or ants?

People often mistake swarming (Flying) termites as flying ants and vice versa.  They are similar in size and shape, but there are a couple simple ways to differentiate the two. 

- Ants have a pinched waist, bent antennae and their rear wings are smaller than the front wings. 

- Termites have a wide body, straight antennae and their wings are the same size. 

If all you find is wings on a window ledge, you can sort them and look for the two different sizes to aid in identification.  If you find live insects inside your home, spray them with a light detergent, like Windex, and vacuum them up.  Swarming insects inside your home or building could be the sign of a serious problem that you may not be able to handle alone.  If you need assistance with identification, most pest control companies offer this free of charge and you may also contact the county’s Agriculture Department.