Termites have been called white ants because they closely resemble ants in size, but they are not even related to ants.
In fact, they are more closely related to cockroaches, some of which continue to eat wood like termites. However, termite control is somewhat different from the elimination of either ants or cockroaches.
Why Are Termites Called White Ants?
Termites have been called white ants because they resemble ants in their small size and in their social lifestyle — and they are mostly white.
However, termites have very different features from ants upon close inspection. Termites lack eyes and rely on pheromones and scents to navigate and interact.
Termites have straight beaded antennae while ants have an ‘elbow’ in their antennae.
Termites have thick middles and elongated abdomens; ants have distinct constrictions between their three segments: head, thorax and abdomen.
Simply look for eyes, the antennae and the body segmentation. Like ants, termites are social and termite control relies on knowledge of termites’ social feeding instincts.
Termite Identification Service
For information about termite identification, feel free to contact us and know more, like the Queen Termite, Nasutes, white ants & termites.