Is this a termite or an ant?
April 18, 2008 4:55 PM Subscribe
Is this an ant, or a termite? Photo inside.
After paying to replace a lot of (old) termite damage, I've become paranoid. Tonight, I saw about 50 of these buggers crawling on the outside of my house.
All of the indicators say this is an ant (three-part body, inward-facing antennae), but help me get a good night's sleep MeFi exterminators.
A photo of the insect in question.
This is an ant, with wings, right?
After paying to replace a lot of (old) termite damage, I've become paranoid. Tonight, I saw about 50 of these buggers crawling on the outside of my house.
All of the indicators say this is an ant (three-part body, inward-facing antennae), but help me get a good night's sleep MeFi exterminators.
A photo of the insect in question.
This is an ant, with wings, right?
Your termite damage was probably caused by carpenter ants.
posted by winston at 5:09 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by winston at 5:09 PM on April 18, 2008
looks like an ant.
but i'm fond of your filename: antihope.jpg
what you got against hope??
posted by blastrid at 5:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
but i'm fond of your filename: antihope.jpg
what you got against hope??
posted by blastrid at 5:40 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]
That's an ant.
You still want to get rid of them, btw.
posted by konolia at 6:17 PM on April 18, 2008
You still want to get rid of them, btw.
posted by konolia at 6:17 PM on April 18, 2008
Comparison of winged termites and ants. (or google yourself)
They really look nothing alike:
Termite: Fat waist and four equal-length wings.
Ant: Slim waist and 2 big wings, 2 small wings.
On the other hand, both termites and carpenter ants can turn wood into swiss cheese you can stick your finger through. There is no living with them. Get help.
posted by hexatron at 6:20 PM on April 18, 2008
They really look nothing alike:
Termite: Fat waist and four equal-length wings.
Ant: Slim waist and 2 big wings, 2 small wings.
On the other hand, both termites and carpenter ants can turn wood into swiss cheese you can stick your finger through. There is no living with them. Get help.
posted by hexatron at 6:20 PM on April 18, 2008
Response by poster: @ blastrid - Yeah, I noticed that after I named it and thought it was a nice ironic accident, so left it. If it's not obvious, it's "ant I hope."
The old damage was clearly termite, according to the exterminator we had in to examine what we found and treat the house and yard. It had the characteristic tunnels and leftover, well, wood poop. According to what I've been able to find about carpenter ants, they tunnel, but they don't digest it like termites.
But definitely worth having the man with the giant spray can come back for a second look. Because any insect with the first name of "carpenter" is probably not my house's friend.
Thanks hive!
posted by timwindsor at 6:39 PM on April 18, 2008
The old damage was clearly termite, according to the exterminator we had in to examine what we found and treat the house and yard. It had the characteristic tunnels and leftover, well, wood poop. According to what I've been able to find about carpenter ants, they tunnel, but they don't digest it like termites.
But definitely worth having the man with the giant spray can come back for a second look. Because any insect with the first name of "carpenter" is probably not my house's friend.
Thanks hive!
posted by timwindsor at 6:39 PM on April 18, 2008
According to what I've been able to find about carpenter ants, they tunnel, but they don't digest it like termites.
Yes. So you'll often find piles of sawdust at the entrances to their tunnels.
posted by winston at 7:05 PM on April 18, 2008
Yes. So you'll often find piles of sawdust at the entrances to their tunnels.
posted by winston at 7:05 PM on April 18, 2008
I think I remember this from an entomology class...and the slim waist of the ant is the most obvious characteristic....as mentioned above.
posted by pilibeen at 8:34 PM on April 18, 2008
posted by pilibeen at 8:34 PM on April 18, 2008
The slim waist of the ant is called a "gaster" and reflects the fact that they evolved from parasitic wasps. Termites don't have this anatomical feature, and in fact share a common ancestor with cockroaches.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_carpenter_ant
posted by singingfish at 1:45 AM on April 19, 2008
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_carpenter_ant
posted by singingfish at 1:45 AM on April 19, 2008
This thread is closed to new comments.
I swear by a brand of insecticide called Terro to take care of my house. I spray and use the granules about every 4 months or so. Google to confirm and get more ideas on how to kill them.
posted by willmize at 4:59 PM on April 18, 2008 [1 favorite]