Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: Termites look different depending on their role. Workers (most numerous) are pale, creamy-white, soft-bodied, 3–5 mm, with straight antennae and no pinched waist. Soldiers have larger orange-brown heads with strong jaws. Swarmers (the winged reproductives you’re most likely to see) are darker with four equal-length wings. New York’s most common type is the eastern subterranean termite.
The three termite castes
- Workers: the ones that eat wood. Pale/white, soft, antlike in size but with a straight (not pinched) body and straight, bead-like antennae. Rarely seen because they stay hidden in wood and tubes.
- Soldiers: defend the colony — pale bodies with disproportionately large, darker heads and visible mandibles (jaws).
- Swarmers (alates): the winged termites that leave to start new colonies. Dark-bodied with four equal-length, translucent wings far longer than the body. These are the stage most homeowners actually see.
Termites vs. ants (quick check)
Termites have a straight body (no waist), straight antennae, and equal-length wings. Ants have a pinched waist, elbowed antennae, and unequal wings. For the full breakdown see flying ants vs. termites.
Signs you have termites (even if you don’t see them)
Because workers stay hidden, you’ll often spot the evidence first: mud tubes (pencil-width mud tunnels on foundations and walls), piles of equal-length shed wings near windows, hollow-sounding or blistered wood, and tiny pinholes with mud. See what termite damage looks like.
Suspect termites? They work quietly and the damage compounds, so early inspection protects your property and your closing/sale (a WDO/termite letter is often required). New York Exterminating’s NYC termite inspection & treatment is led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For termites, NYE provides termite inspection and targeted treatment with documented findings. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
What Do Termites Look Like — FAQ
What color are termites?
Workers and soldiers are pale creamy-white (soldiers have darker heads); winged swarmers are darker brown to black. Many people only ever see the dark swarmers.
How big are termites?
Workers and soldiers are about 3–5 mm; swarmers look larger because of their long wings, which extend well beyond the body.
What’s the difference between a termite and a white ant?
“White ants” is a common misnomer for termites — they aren’t ants. Termites have straight bodies and antennae and equal wings; ants have pinched waists, bent antennae, and unequal wings.
Which termites are common in New York?
The eastern subterranean termite is the most common in the NYC area. It nests in soil and reaches wood through mud tubes, which is why foundation and crawl-space inspection matters.
