Citronella Ants Vs Termites

Citronella ants and termites may seem to have an awful lot in common. They’re both reddish-colored, small and love to eat wood. They also seem to be equally destructive. Fortunately enough, they are entirely different bugs! However, how can you tell the two pests apart so you know exactly what kind of ant or termite you’re dealing with? Below are some great tips that will help you determine which type of red bug is infesting your home. Termites cause one of America’s largest property losses and their destructive nature can ruin your home. Citronella ants apart from emitting a pleasant minty smell also possess unique properties that make them an effective natural enemy of termites. Citronella ants are not like their cousins at all. They have their own territory, which is in the soil. Instead of going on foraging trips, they go from place to place through the pores in the earth and attack any intruders with no mercy. Termites don’t actually eat timber like most people think. They are social insects due to their colony lifestyle. In Australia the main pests that plague homes and garden areas are termites and ants. The best way to ensure these pesky bugs do not take over your shed or home is to ensure your property is free from access by these little critters, either through actually setting up an exclusion zone around your property or finding a repellent that will stop the pests from coming in contact with your home. One of the most common methods of keeping away ants, cockroaches and other stinging insects is to use a citronella ant spray. Termidor may offer superior termite control over other treatments, but can require costly additional steps to achieve success.

Citronella Ants Vs Termites

Introduction

We have all heard about ants and termites, but most people tend to get confused. For instance, some people find it hard to tell the difference between citronella ants and termites as they are often mistaken for each other especially if one is not an expert in this field. It is important to understand that while both of these insects can be a nuisance they should not be treated in the same way. In order to know how to deal with them effectively you need to know who’s who and what is what. This article will discuss both citronella ants vs termites so that you can easily identify them and take appropriate action if infestation occurs

What is a citronella ant?

While the citronella ant does look similar to termites, it is a different species of insect. It’s important to know that these two pests are not related and do not have anything in common. Unlike termites, which eat wood and other cellulose materials (like paper or cardboard), citronella ants only eat honeydew—a sugary secretion produced by aphids (tiny insects that feed on plant sap).

As you can see from this information, it’s easy to see why there would be confusion between the two species: they both have a yellowish-brown coloring and live under ground. However, the most important difference between these two pests is what they eat—and therefore how they will affect your home.

How to identify citronella ants?

Citronella ants are a type of ant that is commonly found in the southern United States. They have a distinct smell that is similar to citronella oil, which helps them repel predators. These red-brown insects can be easily identified by their small size and reddish-brown coloration, but they are often confused with termites because of their similar appearance and habits.

  • Size: Citronella Ants tend to be about 3/8 inch long (1 cm). They’re usually smaller than other common household pests like house flies or roaches, so if you see an insect crawling around your house it’s probably not going to be one!
  • Coloration: Citronella Ants are typically reddish brown in color with darker bands along their bodies. The queen ant has wings while worker ants do not; this helps differentiate between them since workers also have antennae as well as compound eyes (the queens don’t).

How do I get rid of citronella ants?

Citronella ants are quite easy to get rid of, but they can be difficult to spot. They are small, light brown insects that do not bite. Citronella ants live in colonies and tend to build their nests near each other. This is a good indicator that you may have an infestation on your hands!

There are many different ways you can treat citronella ant infestations:

  • Use a vacuum cleaner to remove them if they’re visible on the surface of your home or yard
  • Spray pesticides directly at the nest site(s) if possible (make sure it’s safe for children, pets, etc.)
  • Use sticky bands around doorways where citronella ants tend to travel through; this trap will catch most of them over time
  • Make homemade traps out of orange peels (or some other citrus fruit) placed in shallow dishes filled with water

What is a termite?

Termites are eusocial insects classified at the taxonomic rank of infraorder Isoptera, or as epifamily Termitoidae within the cockroach order Blattodea. They are a holometabolous (complete metamorphosis) group within the arthropods that initially diversified in the Cretaceous (145 to 66 million years ago), and currently inhabit every continent except Antarctica. Termites were once classified in the order Isoptera, but have since been reclassified to an independent order, alongside ants and bees.

Termites have soft bodies with a pair of slender antennae and mandibles adapted for chewing wood; males also have wings and reproductive organs but females do not. Their digestive systems contain flagellated protozoa that help with food digestion through cellulose breakdown by breaking down lignocellulose into simpler carbohydrates which can then be utilized by other organisms such as bacteria inside their gut lumen or ceca – specialized sac-like structures where symbiotic bacteria live together with termites so they can digest cellulose[3] while producing hydrogen gas which contributes significantly towards building up pressure needed when pushing fecal pellets outwards through their anus during defecation.[4]

How to identify termites.

Termites are small, soft-bodied insects that can be easily identified in a variety of ways.

  • Their bodies are segmented
  • They have chewing mouthparts (antennae and mandibles)
  • They have thin antennae

How to get rid of termites?

  • Use an insecticide.
  • Use a termite baiting system.
  • Hire a professional exterminator (not all of them are the same).
  • Try natural remedies such as Citronella, vinegar, borax and so on; you will find lots of information online about this topic, but be careful not to use toxic substances like pesticides or poisons because they can be harmful to you as well as your family and pets if accidentally ingested or inhaled. Natural remedies are usually more effective than conventional ones but take longer to show results (note that I said “showed” because if the infestation is too big then there is no way any remedy will work). If other methods fail then go for extreme measures like drilling holes into woodwork walls etc., which may seem drastic but better than allowing termites destroy everything! Note also that some people say it’s best not just one method alone – combine several approaches for maximum effectivity (i.e.: use both insecticides plus baiting systems).

Citronella Ants Vs Termites

Citronella ants are a type of ant that is native to Southeast Asia. They are also known as lemon ants due to their citrus-like scent. These insects are often confused with termites, but if you want to know how to tell the difference between these two pests, keep reading!

Citronella ants live in colonies and create nests underground or in tree stumps. If your home has been infested with citronella ants, you may notice that they have chewed through wood and left behind shredded pieces. This can be particularly dangerous if they have taken up residence in your home’s foundation or floorboards because it could result in structural damage over time!

Conclusion

If you have any pest problem, it is important to identify the exact species. Knowing this can help you decide the best possible course of action, and could potentially save you from incurring all kinds of damages that can result from having a termite or citronella ant problem. In addition to this, working with an expert who knows how to deal with all kinds of pests in your region will ensure that you receive the best possible service and get rid of these pesky things as soon as possible!

Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2: With Comfort Wand, Kills Ants, Cockroaches, Spiders, Fleas & Ticks, Odor Free, 1.1 gal.
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Features :

  • Ortho Home Defense Insect Killer for Indoor & Perimeter2 with Comfort Wand kills ants, cockroaches, spiders, fleas, ticks and other listed bugs; the formula is odor free, won’t stain, and keeps listed bugs out
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  • NO STAINING OR STINK: This spray can be used indoors and out, leaves no residue, and has no odor; people and pets may re-enter treated areas after spray has dried
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Additional Info :

Color White
Item Dimensions
Height 4.88 Inches
Width 12 Inches
Length 8.95 Inches
Weight 0.73 Pounds
TERRO T300B Liquid Ant Killer, 12 Bait Stations
Price : $11.92
Features :

  • Attracts & Kills – Kills common household ants including acrobat, crazy, ghost, little black, odorous house, pavement, and other sweet-eating ants
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  • Works Fast – You should see a significant decrease in the number of ants visiting the bait stations within just a few days
  • Ready to Use – Place the bait stations, watch it attract ants, and eliminate the entire colony
  • Use Throughout Your Home – Place stations near areas where you’ve seen ant activity including along baseboards, in corners, on counters, and more

Additional Info :

Item Dimensions
Height 4.5 Inches
Width 6.6 Inches
Length 1.2 Inches
Weight 0.27 Pounds
Spectracide Terminate Termite Detection and Killing Stakes, 15 Count
Price : $44.85
Features :

  • Two termite products IN one: pop-up indicators detect termite activity, and the stakes kill foraging termites
  • Installs IN minutes: place stakes in the ground 2 to 3 feet away from your home and no more than 10 feet apart
  • Pop-up indicator: check the stakes for termite activity when the pop-up indicator is seen
  • Complete kit: includes 15 stakes with locator shields, instruction booklet and digging tool

Additional Info :

Item Dimensions
Height 16 Inches
Width 12 Inches
Length 4 Inches
Weight 2 Pounds
TERRO T1901-6 Carpenter Ant & Termite Killer, Orange
Price : $9.99
Features :

  • Kills Carpenter ants, termites, carpenter bees, wood wasps, and other insects
  • Kills on contact and continues killing for up to 1 month
  • 2 way spray nozzle allows you to reach crevices where pests live
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  • Ideal for indoor or outdoor use

Additional Info :

Color Orange
Item Dimensions
Height 9.4 Inches
Width 8 Inches
Length 2.7 Inches
Weight 1.2 Pounds
BioAdvanced 700350A Termite Killer Home Perimeter Treatment Ready-to-Spread Granules, 9 Pounds, N.A
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Features :

  • TERMITE KILLER: Easy to use granuals kills the termites you see, and the ones you don’t see
  • PERIMETER DEFENSE: Treat around the perimeter of your home, garage, wood piles and fence posts
  • EASY APPLICATION: Just sprinkle, water, and walk away
  • COVERAGE AREA: Treats up to 200 linear feet- that’s the perimteter of an average sized home
  • RESTRICTIONS: Not for sale in NY, CT, MD & VT

Additional Info :

Color Granules
Item Dimensions
Height 12 Inches
Width 9.9 Inches
Length 6 Inches
Weight 9 Pounds

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