Termite wings are twice as long as the body. Ants appear distinctly segmented, because of their thin-waisted appearance. Termites have a broad-waisted appearance. They are often confused with termites. Unlike termites they have pinched waists and elbowed antennae.
Termites have straight bodies and antennae.
As with termites, there is a winged version too. Carpenter ants can do significant structural damage, but are more a nuisance than a structural problem. If you see more than 10 ants a day in any room other than the kitchen. If you see ants in your home and the ground outside is frozen. If you hear munching, rustling or crunching noise coming from within a window sill, wall or ceiling.