How To Tell If You Have Termites Or Carpenter Ants

How To Tell If You Have Termites Or Carpenter Ants

Termites and carpenter ants are common insects that typically appear at the same time of year. So, how do you know if you have termites or carpenter ants? Termites and carpenter ants can have a lot of similarities when it comes to looks, bite size, and life span; however, there are some differences between carpenter ants and termites that will help you to determine which type of insect is invading your home. Here I’ll cover the basics about how to tell if you have termites or carpenter ants.

Termites and carpenter ants are both wood-eating insects, which makes them rather similar. They are some of the most destructive household pests that can really do some serious damage to your property. In order to make the process of identifying these destructive insects easier for you in future, we will brief you on how to tell them apart.

How To Tell If You Have Termites Or Carpenter Ants

Are you looking to tell if you have termites or carpenter ants?

We’ve got the answer.

Termites are unique in that they eat wood and leave behind a sawdust-like material called frass. This frass is their waste, and it can be seen in piles throughout their nests. The presence of these frasses is one way to determine whether or not your house has been infested by termites.

Carpenter ants, on the other hand, do not eat wood but instead feed on insects and use wood as their nests. They often cause damage to wooden structures as they build their nests inside them, so if you see signs of this kind of activity around your home or building, then it’s likely that you have a carpenter ant problem rather than an issue with termites.

Termites and carpenter ants are the two most common types of ants that make their way into your home. Though they’re both known for being pests, they are different in several ways.

Termites are brownish-white insects with a long, thin body and no wings. Carpenter ants are black or reddish-brown bugs with two pairs of wings.

Termites have six legs, while carpenter ants have four.

Termites build mud tubes to protect their nests, while carpenter ants do not make such structures.

Termites and carpenter ants are both wood-eating insects that can cause serious damage to your home. Confusing the two can be a real problem, as they look very similar and act in similar ways. If you’re not sure which type of insect has invaded your home, there are a few simple ways to tell them apart.

You should also know that both termites and carpenter ants can cause serious structural damage to buildings by eating the wood they live on. They will not only eat the wood itself, but also leave behind waste products called “frass” that will release spores into the air and stain surfaces around them. The following steps will help you determine whether or not your home has been invaded by one (or both) of these pests:

How To Tell If You Have Termites Or Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants and termites have a lot more in common than most people would think – especially when it comes to pest control. Termites and carpenter ants are, in fact, responsible for a large chunk of residential pest control house calls each year. This is because both are wood destroyers, and can cause serious structural damage to property.

Indeed, 90 percent of homes in the United States are built with wood framing. As any local pest control company will tell you, termites and carpenter ants will destroy the wood and interior of your home if left unchecked, causing expensive-to-fix damage that threatens the stability of your home. Both pests cause billions of dollars each year in wood damage and can only be eliminated via expert pest control – carpenter ants and termites are both skilled at hiding their presence within a home.

Not only do these pests both love wood, but they are also similar in appearance, with bulbous chitin shells and, in some cases, small wings, many a homeowner has mistaken carpenter ants for termites. Despite their similarities, however, there are basic differences between termites and carpenter ants. By knowing these differences, you will have a better idea of what to look out for when it comes to residential pest control.

If you have found wood damage or seen the signs of either carpenter ant damage or termite damage, contact your local Western Exterminator office. Our specialists will identify the types of pests in your home and offer solutions to get rid of carpenter ants or termites and prevent these pests from coming back.

Carpenter ant and termite bodies

For starters, one main difference between termites and carpenter ants is the body shape. Termites have a head and a thorax; whereas ants have a head, thorax and abdomen (see the difference in the images above). Termite wings are usually much longer than ant wings – about double the length of the termite body. Ant wings are only slightly longer than the ant body.

Homeowners who suspect an infestation but aren’t sure which pest is the culprit can bring a specimen to a local pest control company for identification. In either case, residential pest control experts advise prompt action to minimize damage and curb the infestation as quickly as possible.

What do carpenter ants and termites eat?

Both termites and carpenter ants will munch on the wood in your home. The difference is that wood is a source of nutrition for termites. Carpenter ants, however, cannot digest wood cellulose; instead, they burrow into wood to create a shelter where they can nest.

One thing to keep in mind when it comes to pest control: Termites and ants both need access to water and will thrive in a moist environment. Indeed, carpenter ants cannot eat solid foods – they depend on moisture to make small bits of food edible. One way to deter both of these pests is to repair all leaks and moisture issues right away such as leaky faucets and poor drainage.

Carpenter ant nests vs. termite nests

As for the colonies themselves, both termites and ants can and will live inside the wood in your home. Carpenter ants build their nests in various wood sources, including tree stumps, fence posts, firewood or landscaping. They prefer to attack wood that has been wet or damaged. Indoors, this means they are often found in damaged window and door frames, crawl spaces under roofs, chimneys, sinks and bathtubs. Subterranean termites live in underground colonies and can contain up to two million members. They build tunnels or “mud tubes” to reach food sources, like your home, and to protect themselves from open air. Dampwood termites are usually found in logs, stumps, dead trees, fence posts and utility poles. Drywood termites infest dry wood, like that found in attic framings.

If you suspect you have termites or carpenter ants, call Western Exterminator right away to schedule a full inspection.

Carpenter ant damage vs. termite damage

One of the biggest differences between carpenter ants and termites is the way they create tunnels and galleries. Carpenter ants create tunnels and galleries that are very neat, smooth and have a finished appearance. Termite galleries and tunnels will have a rough and even ragged feel and will be caked with mud. Oftentimes, you will see the mud tubes created by termites on the outer walls or foundation.

Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because of their ability to chew through wood, flooring, and even wallpaper undetected. Similar to termites, carpenter ant infestations often go unnoticed until it’s too late. But unlike termites, carpenter ants can take years to cause significant damage. Termites cause an estimated $500 billion in damage each year.

List Of How To Tell If You Have Termites Or Carpenter Ants