There are several different termites, but the most common are typically between ?- and ?-inch long. Subterranean termites are prevalent across the United States and smaller than other termite species, only growing to ? of an inch. However, they do have larger colonies than other termite species. Drywood termites usually live in warm, tropical climates such as California, Florida, and Hawaii. These termites are between ? and ? inches in length. Formosan termites are mainly found in the southeast U.S. and Hawaii. They easily surpass the colony size of any other termite species in North America, with millions of termites in one colony. Formosan termites are usually ? to ? inches in length.
When I first spotted tiny bugs in my garage, I thought they were ants, but their size tipped me off. Subterranean termites, for instance, are so small¡ªbarely a quarter of an inch¡ªthat you might miss them if you’re not looking closely. What’s wild is how Formosan termites, despite being just a bit bigger, can form colonies with millions of members. I read somewhere that a single Formosan colony can spread across an area the size of a football field! If you’re trying to spot them, grab a ruler and compare. Knowing their size can help you figure out if you’re dealing with termites or something else, like carpenter ants, which are often larger.
Termites have soft bodies and straight antennae.
There are a few discrepancies between ants and termites in the body of the insect. Termites have soft bodies with a distinct, hard head region with powerful mandibles (the appendages on the insect’s jaw). Their heads are fixed with straight antennae, usually with beads attached. Flying ants, on the other hand, have bent antennae. While termites’ bodies are thick, ants have a more defined waist between their thorax and abdomen. Termites also have a blunt end to their abdomen while ants may have a sharp end they use to defend themselves. Termites’ wings are also equal in length and usually white or transparent in color. Flying ants have longer wings in their front and shorter wings in the back.
One thing that helped me tell termites apart from ants was checking the antennae. I remember squinting at a bug on my windowsill, noticing its straight, beaded antennae, and realizing it wasn’t an ant. Termites’ soft, almost squishy bodies also make them look less segmented than ants, which have that pinched waist. If you’ve got a magnifying glass, take a close look at the wings too¡ªtermites’ equal-length wings are a dead giveaway. Fun fact: termites’ mandibles are so strong they can chew through wood like it’s butter, which explains why they’re such a nightmare for homeowners. If you’re unsure, snap a photo and compare it to online images of termites versus ants for a quick ID.
Their color ranges from cream to reddish-brown.
A termite’s color depends on its species and caste. Subterranean workers and soldiers are pale- or cream-colored in their bodies; however, workers have a larger head that can be orange or amber. Subterranean reproductive termites have dark-colored bodies. Drywood worker termites also have whitish bodies. Drywood soldier termites have opaque bodies and a larger orange or brown head. Drywood reproductive termites have gray wings with dark brown bodies and amber-colored heads. Formosan worker termites have the same whitish color as subterranean and drywood worker termites. Formosan soldier termites are also similar to subterranean termites with white bodies and large orange heads. Their reproductive termites range from a pale color to a yellow-tinted brown.
The color variation in termites is fascinating but tricky to spot. I once found a pile of what I thought was sawdust, only to realize it was termite frass from pale-colored workers. The orange heads on soldier termites are a key clue¡ªif you see those, it’s a red flag. According to pest control studies, about 80% of termite infestations in the U.S. involve subterranean termites, which are often pale and harder to notice in dim areas like basements. If you’re inspecting your home, use a flashlight to check for those creamy or amber hues, especially in damp corners where termites love to hang out. Knowing the color can also hint at the species, which matters when you call in the pros.
There are three different castes: workers, soldiers, and alates.
Termites have three different castes within their colony, each holding its own purpose. The alates are reproductive termites that leave the colony to mate and look for a new nesting site. The male and female reproductive termites each pair up to leave the colony, usually during rainy seasons. After they find a new spot, they shed their wings and either take up a home in the soil (subterranean termites) or use wood to create a nest (drywood termites). They then form new colonies within these areas. Workers make up the majority of the termites in a colony. When exposing infested wood, these are the termites you’ll see. They have soft bodies with no wings or eyes. As they are not a part of the reproductive caste, they are sterile. The younger workers take care of the young while the older workers build and excavate the nest, create tunnels, and search for food. Soldier termites primarily safeguard the colony and attack predators. How they defend and what their bodies and mandibles look like depend on the species. They rely on the workers for their food sources. The soldier caste is typically smaller than the other castes.
Understanding termite castes really opened my eyes to how organized these pests are. I once saw alates swarming near my porch light during a spring rain, and it was creepy knowing they were looking to start a new colony. Workers are the ones doing the real damage, though¡ªchewing through wood nonstop. A pest control buddy told me that in a typical colony, workers can make up 90% or more of the population, which is why you’re likely to see them first. If you spot shed wings or soldier termites with those big heads, it’s a sign the colony is established. Check crawlspaces or attics for worker activity, and don’t wait to act if you see them¡ªthey’re like tiny construction crews wrecking your home.
Termites eat wood, so they won’t go after your food.
While ants are notorious for coming into homes for food and eating protein sources, sweets, and food scraps, termites are only interested in cellulose-based sources, including plants, wood, and paper. However, this also means that termites can create nests inside the walls of a home, where they can inflict a large amount of damage. They’ll mainly enter through these structural points of the home and forage building materials, insulation, and furniture for food.
It’s a relief that termites don’t raid your pantry, but their love for wood is bad news. I learned this the hard way when I found my wooden bookshelf starting to crumble¡ªtermites had been munching away inside the walls. Experts estimate termites cause over $5 billion in property damage annually in the U.S. alone, mostly because they target structural wood and insulation. To protect your home, keep woodpiles away from your foundation and fix any leaks, since termites are drawn to moisture. Sealing cracks in your home’s exterior can also block their entry points, saving you from costly repairs down the line.
If you suspect termite damage, come up with a plan to address the issue.
There are a few ways to determine if there is termite damage within a property. Termites often make a clicking sound that can be heard through the walls, or homeowners may find loose wings. There also may be termite droppings, called frass, pushed out in the open area to clean the nests. Tapping the walls also allows homeowners to see if there’s a hollow sound, meaning termites may have already eaten a large amount of the wall’s interior. If any of these sounds like your situation, you may have a termite infestation. It’s essential to contact and hire a professional as soon as possible to stop the infestation and mitigate any damage already caused to the home.
I’ll never forget the faint clicking I heard in my living room wall¡ªit sounded like tiny typewriters! That, plus finding frass that looked like sawdust, was my wake-up call. The hollow sound when I tapped the wall confirmed my fears. Pest control pros say that catching an infestation early can save thousands in repairs¡ªtermite damage isn’t usually covered by homeowners’ insurance, which is a bummer. If you hear or see these signs, don’t try DIY fixes; termites are tough to eliminate without professional-grade treatments. A quick tip: check your basement or crawlspace for mud tubes, as subterranean termites often build these to travel. Acting fast can save your home from major structural headaches.