Among the largest of ants, 1/4- to 3/8-inch long. Color varies depending on species, from red to black or a combination. The most common species
is black.
Long, thin antennae that are often as long (or longer) than the body of the beetle; 5/8- to 1-inch in length. The beetle's body has a slightly flattened appearance, and its color may appear dark gray, but is usually brownish black to black.
It is not often that a homeowner or pest control operator actually finds adult old house borers in a structure; the sound of the larvae feeding, exit holes and frass are the signs that usually point to an infestation.
While all termites have long narrow bodies, they vary greatly in appearance
depending on the termite's role in the colony. Subterranean termite
workers are pale cream-colored and 1/8-inch long; soldiers have elongated
heads with pincer-like mandibles; and primary
reproductives
(commonly called "swarmers" and the termites most often seen in the
open) are
dark brown or black and 1 inch long, with large whitish
wings.