How can I tell the difference between Red Imported Fire Ants and termites?
Although most Red Imported Fire Ants are recognizable as ants, virgin queen and male Red Imported Fire Ants with wings could be confused with termites, especially when termites are flying during their mating periods. The front pair of wings on Red Imported Fire Ants is larger than the hind pair, while both pairs of termite wings are approximately the same size. Red Imported Fire Ants have bent (“elbowed”) antennae and a thin (“wasp-like”) waist, very narrow between the middle (thorax) and hind (abdomen) segments. Termites have straight, hair-like antennae, and the middle and hind segments of the termite worker’s body are broadly connected at the waist.
