Flying ants and swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart.
Termites have relatively straight, beadlike antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.
Ants also have two pair of wings but the fore wings are much larger than the hind wings. The abdomen of the termite is broadly joined to the thorax while the abdomen and thorax of the ant are joined by a narrow waist called a petiole. Most calls for termites turn out to be flying ants. Flying ants and swarming termites are often difficult to tell apart. Termites have relatively straight, beadlike antennae while ants have elbowed antennae.