Top 5 Bugs That Look Like Termites

Think you’ve found termites in your home? Before you run away screaming, look a little closer it may be a benign termite imposter.

And while termites are notorious for wreaking havoc on homes, there are many other bugs that look just like them. These insect impersonators are commonly spotted and some can even be confused with termites at first glance.

In this list, we will help you identify 5 of the most frequent bugs mistaken for Termites, whether they are flying around or eating through wood.

How to Tell If It’s Termites

Before we continue, let’s go over some key signs that you can look out for if you suspect that you might have a termite problem: 

• The sound of tapping on wood is hollow.

• Mud tubes on walls or foundation

• Wings left close to windows or doors

• Maze-like tunnels inside wood

These clues can aid you in ruling out the presence of termites, or confirming it before it is too late.

Meet the Top 5 Bugs That Look Like Termites

1. Carpenter Ants (Camponotus spp.)

One of the most common bugs frequently mistaken for termites are carpenter ants. Like termites, they live in sizable nests and prefer making them out of wood. But the way they handle wood is an important point of divergence.

What to look for:

•  Red or black ants with wings

•  Piles of sawdust alongside baseboards

•  Smooth, empty tracks in the soft wood

2. Flying Ants (Formicidae)

• Antennae Flying ants have elbowed antennae, with a 90 degree joint before it turns towards the sky, whereas termite antennae are more straight.

• Their forewings are larger than their hindwings (all of termites’ wings are alike).

• This is what the ‘waist’ of an ant looks like. It is very narrow compared to many of its major bodyparts Termites don’t have that hourglass shape of ants  P They’re more straight looking.

• Key signs:
  ✔️ Winged ants in swarms by windows

• ✔️ Three separate body parts

• ✔️ Elbowed antennae

3. Powderpost Beetles (Lyctus brunneus)

These beetles obviously don’t look like termites, but what happens next — the damage — is kind of an uncanny mimic. Powderpost beetles deposit eggs in the crevices of hardwood, and the larvae they yield burrow through it after hatching.

You’ll see small holes (often about the size of a pinhead) and powdery wood dust in the near vicinity  sometimes among the earliest visible indicators of a beetle problem.

Unlike termites, which target the entire wood, powderpost beetles are only interested in the sapwood portion of hardwood, and they typically do not threaten structural stability. Though their appearance can be freaky if you don't know what you're looking at.

Look for these signs:
✔️ Tiny round holes in wood
✔️ Fine sawdust nearby
✔️ Found in hardwood furniture and flooring

4. Carpenter Bees (Xylocopa spp.)

On the surface, a carpenter bee may not resemble a termite — but their wood-boring behavior raises some red flags with homeowners. They are big, mostly black, and often have yellow fuzz on their upper bodies.

Carpenter bees create their nests by drilling holes that are perfectly round in untreated wood. You also might find staining below the hole or bees hovering out front.

The good news? These bees don't typically cluster into hives, so their damage can be quite localized compared with termite infestations.

Spot them by checking for:

•  Round holes in wood (about the size of your finger)

• Yellowish stains under the holes

•  Solo bees flying near entry points

5. Acrobat Ants (Crematogaster spp.)

They get their name because when you disturb them, they will hold their abdomen above their heads, like an acrobat would perform a trick. They are small enough that they can be confused with termites because of how they nest and are present in damaged wood.

Unlike termites, these ants would rather move into wood that’s already been damaged — often by moisture or other pests. They do not create the same level of damage, but they can be a pest indoors.

What to look for:
✔️ Ants with a heart-shaped thorax
✔️ Both winged and wingless forms
✔️ Often found in damp or decaying wood

Here’s a handy chart to help you spot the differences at a glance:

Still Unsure? Get a Termite Assessment Today

There’s no surefire way to tell if your hitchhikers are termites or something that looks like termites. So if in doubt, stick with the safest bet. Unless given the opportunity, termites will not consume your home out from under you, yet the damage they can do is tremendously expensive, so a professional inspection can end up saving you thousands in repairs.

Whether you need a termite check or expert advice?

Don’t wait till it’s too late, detect the signs early and seek help. Whether it’s termites, or something else, our professional team can help you get to the bottom of the problem.

Elite Termite Treatment Yokine offers all pest control services in Yokine and surroundings. Feel free to contact us at (08) 6275 6584 or visit our website:

https://elitetermitetreatment.com.au/