Termites Or Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants and termites are two different pest insects belonging to different insect orders and different ant families. Even though they may look similar, their effects on your home are far from the same.Termites and carpenter ants, both of which belong to the order Isoptera, are sometimes confused by homeowners. These insects can be harder to tell apart than first thought, but it is important to know the difference, particularly when it comes to extermination efforts. Termites and carpenter ants do not exactly live together. Many people ask, are carpenter ants termites and what are the differences between these insects? Actually, the insects in question here are all of the species within in the family of the Formicidae or ants. Termites are only a few species of these ants and they have different concerns from their invasive cousins when it comes to your home. Carpenter ants do not eat wood but they will damage it by burrowing into it.Carpenter ants and termites, both commonly referred to as wood ants or termites, can cause a great deal of damage to a home. They are found all over the world, with some species capable of creating nests that span across entire continents — there can be literally thousands of miles between each colony.The two main types of ants found in Ohio are carpenter ants and termites. Carpenter ants build wood-like carton nests in a tree. This nest may look like a tent, be stacked in tiers, or made up of dead twigs. Termite colonies can be subterranean where they dig tunnels below ground to find shelter and food. Inside the colony, they build pillars made of chewed on wood that they eat to provide their colony with nutrients. Termites can also create their own soil above ground by constructing mud mounds and tunnels between buildings.

Termites Or Carpenter Ants

Introduction

There’s nothing quite like the feeling of finding out your home is being invaded by termites or carpenter ants.

As you sit there, heart beating through your chest, trying to catch your breath, panic starts to set in. You think about asking yourself “What do I do now?” and feel a sense of dread come over you as the possible answers start to pop into your head: call an exterminator, hire a contractor to repair the damage (which will not be covered by insurance!), move somewhere else!

All these questions are racing around your brain when you realize this is just the beginning. The question now becomes “How did this happen and what can I do so that it doesn’t happen again?” So let me try and help you sort through all of this before we get into how best to deal with termite or carpenter ant infestations once they have been identified.

Termites

Termites are social insects that live in colonies. They are wood-eating insects that can cause damage to your home and property through tunneling and infestations, as well as by eating wooden structures such as patios, decks, fences and furniture.

Termites are often found in the soil of your yard or garden, so it’s important to keep an eye out for them there as well.

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are wood-eating insects. They have a narrow waist and a wide abdomen, which distinguishes them from termites. They can be black, brown or red, but they’re usually about 1 to 2 inches long. Carpenter ants also have a thicker waist than termites do and cannot be confused with other insects that look similar to them because they have no wings.

If you see carpenter ants outside on trees or in mulch around your house, it’s important not to panic—they may just be passing through. However, if you find them inside your home near damp wood or water damage areas (such as under sinks), then chances are there’s an infestation nearby and you should call a pest control company immediately!

It’s important to know what insects are damaging your home!

While termites are both destructive and annoying, they can also be dangerous. Termites and their friends like carpenter ants love to eat wood, but unlike other insects that may chew small holes in your home, termites will devour your house from the inside out. They’ll eat through the walls, floors and foundation until the whole structure collapses on itself. This type of damage is not only expensive to fix—it can also cause health problems for humans if toxic mold grows as a result of the extensive damage done by these pests. If you suspect that you have these types of insects living in your home or business premises (or even if you think they might be there), contact an exterminator right away. Most extermination companies offer free inspections so that they can assess whether or not there is a problem before trying to treat it—and even if there isn’t any visible evidence yet, keeping an eye out for any weird noises coming from inside will save money down the line!

Termite control can be difficult because these critters live underground where many people never go (unless they’re planning on building something). While pest control specialists have special equipment designed specifically for finding them without having anyone dig too deeply into hard soil first – it’s still possible that some colonies may go unnoticed until after significant structural damage has already occurred.”

Conclusion

Knowing the signs of termites and carpenter ants can help you to distinguish between the two. If you suspect that either are present in your home, it is crucial to take steps to have them removed before they cause serious damage. If you do discover termites or carpenter ants in your home, contact a local pest control company immediately.