Insects That Look Like Ants
Ants are a typical summer best and, though definitely annoying, are usually pretty harmless. However, there are plenty of other bugs that look and even act like ants, and some of them (like termites) can be a major problem for homeowners.
So, what are the most common wasps, flying bugs, and beetles that look like ants, and how can you identify them?
Termites
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What are they?
Like ants, termites are a type of insect and, as such, have six legs and antennae. The most important difference between the two is that an ant infestation is unlikely to cause lasting problems, whereas termites can cause massive structural damage to your home.
Why are they mistaken for ants?
Termites are most commonly mistaken for ants when they’re in swarm mode.
Though ants and termites are typically terrestrial, both will occasionally sprout wings and take to the skies. Ants usually do this once a year as part of their mating process, and termites do the same to reproduce and expand their colonies.
If you’re seeing a large number of insects that look like ants with wings, it’s vital that you identify them ASAP. If they turn out to be termites, you’ll need to call in professional help immediately to avoid having to deal with expensive repairs later.
How can you tell them apart?
Bugs that look like flying ants could be just that – or, they could be something significantly worse. To tell ants from termites, you’ll have to capture one for a close-up look. At first glance, the two look pretty similar; both have six legs, two antennae, and four wings. Once you get out the magnifying glass, however, you’ll see that:
- Ant’s legs are longer than termite’s legs.
- The body segments of the ant are far more defined than those of the termite. Whereas ant’s bodies are clearly divided into three separate parts (the head, thorax, and abdomen) the body of the termite is straight-sided.
- The antennae are different. Termite antennae are pretty straight, whereas ant antennae are longer and ‘elbowed.’
Rove beetles
What are they?
Rove beetles are a type of insect that has evolved to look like ants, for very sneaky reasons! These clever look-a-likes use their disguises to infiltrate ant colonies where, once inside, they attack and eat its members. These ingenious assassins not only look like ants, but they smell and act like them, too! So, if they can even fool the other ants, how can you learn to tell them apart?
Why are they mistaken for ants?
Rove beetles look so much like ants that even other ants can’t tell the difference. These insects have six legs, two antennae, and even a nipped-in abdomen that mimics the segmented body shape of the ant. They may also be the same color as ants.
How can you tell them apart?
Rove beetles have evolved to look and act almost identically to ants; however, there are a few key differences that can help you tell them apart.
- Rove beetles have smaller heads than ants.
- Their bodies are less heavily segmented. Although rove beetles have evolved to mimic the segmented shape of the ant, their bodies are still not quite the same as those of ants. If you looked closely, you’d see that the rove beetle’s body is not as clearly divided into head, thorax, and abdominal sections as the ant’s body is.
- Look for the odd ones out. Try as they might, the rove beetle cannot exactly mimic the appearance of the ants whose colonies they infiltrate. If you look closely, you may spot an ‘ant’ that is smaller in size, a different color, or with differently shaped antennae than those around it. And, if you do, it’s probably a rove beetle!
It’s important to note that not all rove beetles look like ants, but ALL rove beetles SHOULD BE AVOIDED.
Though they don’t bite or sting, these insects do contain a powerful toxin called pederin. When released, this toxin can cause severe eye and skin irritation including conjunctivitis (pinkeye), burning sensations, and blistering that can last several days. The toxin is released when the bug is crushed so, if you see a rove beetle, avoid the urge to swat, squash, or otherwise touch it.
Velvet ants
What are they?
Velvet ants are a lot like giant ant-looking bugs, but they’re not what they seem! These odd insects are, in fact, a type of wasp.
The females are wingless, but they can still deliver an excruciatingly painful sting, so it’s a good idea to know what they look like.
Why are they mistaken for ants?
Velvet ants get their name from their appearance, as these insects are actually a type of wasp. The females are wingless and look like large, furry ants with six legs, antennae, and segmented bodies.
Insects That Look Like Ants
Ants are one of the most common insects found in and around homes. They can be small or large, brown or black, and they live in colonies. Ants and their larvae are a real problem for homeowners. The good news is that there are many ways to control ants, including using pesticides and non-chemical methods like trapping them with sticky traps or using diatomaceous earth.
While the appearance of ants may seem like a problem by itself, it can actually be even worse than you think. Some ants look very similar to other types of insects. It is possible to confuse ants with beetles, crickets or other bugs that are not actually ants at all! To make matters worse, some species of ants look very similar to each other as well! It is important to understand how to differentiate between different types of ants based on their appearance so that you do not accidentally kill an innocent insect instead of an invasive ant species that is causing trouble for your family’s home or business property!
List Of Insects That Look Like Ants
- Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, pavement, and other sweet-eating ants
- Kills the Ants You See & the Ones You Don’t – As worker ants discover the bait, they share it with the rest of the colony to eliminate them all
- Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait stations within just a few days
- Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants, and eliminate the entire colony
- Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where you’ve seen ant activity including along baseboards, in corners, on counters, and more
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| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.5 Inches |
| Width | 6.6 Inches |
| Length | 1.2 Inches |
| Weight | 0.27 Pounds |
- Experiment
Additional Info :
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 8.25 Inches |
| Width | 1.25 Inches |
| Length | 5.5 Inches |
| Weight | 0.9 Pounds |
| Release Date | 2015-07-31T00:00:01Z |
- Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
- KILLS BUGS INSIDE: Kills those annoying home-invading insects, including ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks, scorpions, beetles, silverfish, centipedes and millipedes
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- NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
- WAND MAKES APPLICATION EASY: The Comfort Wand eliminates hand fatigue, and there’s no pumping required, making it easy to spray along your home’s perimeter–indoors and outside
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| Color | White |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 4.88 Inches |
| Width | 12 Inches |
| Length | 8.95 Inches |
| Weight | 0.73 Pounds |
- Sleek and compact design with digital output temperature display
- ECOSMART tankless water heaters are 99.8-percent energy efficient
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- Pipe Fittings:3/4 inch NPT
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| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 17 Inches |
| Width | 21 Inches |
| Length | 3.6 Inches |
| Weight | 18.35 Pounds |
- Triple trapping power, first the UV light attracts the bug then the fan sucks it in and the sticky glue boards trap it. No Zapper.
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- Not effective on house flies.
- Easy to use, choose between standard or low speed setting and leave it to work its magic, EPA Est. Numb.:93372-CHN-1
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| Color | Black |
| Item Dimensions | |
| Height | 9.1 Inches |
| Width | 5.5 Inches |
| Length | 5.5 Inches |