Am I dealing with termites (white ants)? 19 April 2022 at 7:58AM in In my home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 11 replies 675 views

Ben1989

So I have discovered some "white ants". Google leads me to believe these do not exist and are in fact termites.

Google also leads me to believe that termites do not exist in the UK.

The ants: they are tiny. And I mean almost impossible to see. They are significantly smaller than ants, are white and almost see-thru. I have found five in total, around the skirting board beading in the living room. I have found another two in the same spot this morning.

Anybody any idea what they are? I'll try uploading a image later.

TIA

GDB2222

Just Google "tiny white insects in house uk". Lots of possibilities. 

Martin_the_Unjust

Where (approximately) in the UK are you?

shiraz99

More likely mites, rather than ants or indeed termites which don't exist in the UK. Can you takes some pics?

Ben1989

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Where (approximately) in the UK are you?

I am on the Wirral (north west)

Martin_the_Unjust

Ben1989 said:

Martin_the_Unjust said:

Where (approximately) in the UK are you?

I am on the Wirral (north west)

Not warm enough for termites then.

Woolsery

Historically, termites have been found in the area around Saunton Sands in North Devon. The Wirral is also coastal, but much further north and it's impossible they have spread there, though direct landing from a ship remains a tiny possibility.

BUFF

photos of said insects?

Grenage

Ben1989 said:

they are tiny. And I mean almost impossible to see.

Then they are certainly not ants (or termites).

Rosa_Damascena

Woolsery said:

Historically, termites have been found in the area around Saunton Sands in North Devon. The Wirral is also coastal, but much further north and it's impossible they have spread there, though direct landing from a ship remains a tiny possibility.

Really?

Having said that, our biosecurity has nothing on Australia.

Woolsery

Rosa_Damascena said:

Woolsery said:

Historically, termites have been found in the area around Saunton Sands in North Devon. The Wirral is also coastal, but much further north and it's impossible they have spread there, though direct landing from a ship remains a tiny possibility.

Really?

Having said that, our biosecurity has nothing on Australia.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/dec/21/a-world-first-devon-calls-victory-in-27-year-war-on-termites