Many people cannot differentiate between carpenter ants and termites. Both of them look alike- smallish, oblong-shaped, four-winged; they both breed during springtime and damage woods.
No matter which of these insects infests your home, it is necessary to get rid of them. Both insects require a different kind of pest control method, so it is crucial to ascertain the exact pest. At this point, hiring a pest control expert will be the wisest decision.
Physical Differences Between Carpenter Ants and Termites
Carpenter ants have narrow waist while termites have a broader waist
Carpenter ants have segmented and distinctly elbowed antenna, while the antenna of termites is straight and bead-like
Carpenter ants are reddish or dark in color, while termites have a creamy, light, or transparent color.
Carpenter ants have small hind wings and large, sturdy forewings, while both the fore and rear wings of termites are fragile and uniform.
Behavioral difference between Termites and Carpenter Ants
Habitat: Both carpenter ant and termite nest inside the damaged door, wooden window frames, chimney, spaces under the roof, and crawl spaces in the bathrooms.
Interaction with wood: Termites feed on the wood they live in, while carpenter ants do not eat wood. They, however, burrow into damaged lumber to build their colonies. While doing this, they leave a deposit of wood shavings or frass- and this is a sign of carpenter ants infestation. Carpenter ants also make smooth groves inside woods, while termites make rough, muddy grooves both inside woods and on the walls. These muddy grooves are signs of termite infestation.
Damages caused by Carpenter Ant Vs. Damages Caused by Termite
Termites are silent destroyers. They can eat up wood, wallpaper, and even floors within a short time without being noticed. On the other hand, it takes several years before carpenter ants can cause significant damage. Carpenter ants, however, are believed to cause damages worth up to $500 billion yearly.
Controlling Carpenter Ants Vs. Controlling Termites
Despite the few similarities they share, carpenter ants and termites are two entirely different pests, and their control measures differ. This is the reason why you need to hire a pest control company- to identify the specific insect that infested your home and eliminate them.
Contact us today for all your pest control needs. We are a pest control company with many years of expertise in the pest control industry, and we have all it takes to uncover the source of the infestation in your home and eliminate the pest so that your family will become pest-free again.