Carpenter ants are often misidentified as termites. Termites have rectangular-shaped bodies while carpenter ants’ bodies are unevenly shaped. Comparable to the number 8. Carpenter ants vary between all-black or reddish-black. Termites are lighter in color and are either white or light brown. Winged termites have 4 symmetrical wings that are all the same size while carpenter ant’s wings vary in size with 2 large symmetrical wings and 2 small symmetrical wings. Both insects also have different-sized antennas. Carpenter ant’s antennas are elbowed or bent while termites have short straight antennas. Termites are extremely rare to find in states as far North as Minnesota. If termites are spotted it’s often because they hitchhiked their way from another state.