Termites are social, wood-destroying insects that live and work together to maintain their large colonies and are commonly found invading homes and businesses. These pests have long, narrow bodies, grow to be about 1/8 of an inch in length, and vary in appearance depending on their role within the colony. Within these colonies, termites divide themselves into three different castes.

• Workers, are responsible for tending to the young & gathering food for the colony

• Soldiers, are responsible for defending the colony

• Swarmer/Reproductive, are responsible for creating new colonies (this caste includes the potential new kings and queens)

For over 250 million years, these small insects have thrived, quietly shaping the world around them. Their simple existence revolves around fulfilling their basic needs: eating and reproducing. In doing so, they play a crucial role in our ecosystem by breaking down wood and other plant-based materials, returning valuable nutrients to the soil. This natural process aids in the decomposition of rotting timbers and prepares the ground for fresh growth.

However, when termites find their way into or homes, their presence becomes problematic. What was once a beneficial contribution to the natural order transforms into a destructive force.

Termites have a special way of starting new colonies called "swarming." It takes them a few years to grow a big enough colony to produce these winged termites, also known as swarmers. When you see swarmers, they may look like winged ants at first, but if you look closely, you'll notice some important differences. Ants have bent antennae, narrow waists like wasps, and shorter hind wings compared to their front wings. In contrast, termite swarmers have straight, beady antennae and wider waists.

A healthy and established termite colony can produce hundreds to thousands of swarmers each year. These swarmers venture out to find new places to start their own colonies. It's an amazing sight to see these winged termites take flight, continuing the cycle of termite life and building new termite homes.

The age old question Termite or Ant?

It's important to know the difference between ants and termites because they can cause different levels of damage to your home. Ants usually don't cause much harm, but termites are a different story. Given enough time, a termite colony can seriously damage the structure of your house.

The tricky thing about termites is that they work quietly and slowly. They eat away at the wood and other materials that make up your home, weakening its foundation and support beams. This can put the stability of your house at risk.

That's why it's crucial to be aware of the signs of a termite infestation and take action early on. By understanding the distinction between ants and termites, you can protect your home from potential extensive damage caused by termites.