Carpenter ants and termites are common pests that love wood. They can eat or reside in the wood. Each pest has unique characteristics and presents a different challenge. At Hornet Pest Control, we provide professional termite control and manage other pests like ants, roaches, fleas, ticks, and bugs. Here’s how to distinguish termites from carpenter ants:
1. Physical Characteristics
Carpenter ants are dark colored with elbowed antennas, big eyes, and thin waists where the gaster and the thorax meet. They can also be brown, red, or yellowish. Carpenter ants grow to about an inch long and are common in the U.S. The narrow waist makes their abdomen appear larger than their head and thorax.
Termites are soft bodied compared to carpenter ants and tend to have a lighter color. Some have white, cream, or translucent parts. Their heads can be reddish and are much tougher than the body. Termites also have straight antennas and thicker waists than carpenter ants. They’re good at hiding themselves from humans, so detecting them calls for a trained exterminator.
2. Type of Destruction
If your wooden structures are compromised, you may be able to identify whether the culprits are carpenter ants or termites. We consider termites more destructive because they eat the wood and create larger barrels. Termites can cause extensive structural damage, leaving openings for other pests and rodents.
Carpenter ants don’t necessarily eat the wood but can create multiple barrels and channels.
Termite control is difficult because of the termites’ ability to survive without food for long periods. They can go longer without eating wood, so you need a comprehensive approach.
3. Castes & Colonies
Not many homeowners can recognize the different classes of carpenter ants and termites. At Hornet Pest Control, we know the different castes and how to target a population. Ants fall into various castes, including workers, soldiers, flying ants, and winged drones. The workers of this species do not have wings and live in colonies of one queen and hundreds of males.
Termite classes include the soldier, worker, and winged termites. Workers tend to be miners and foragers and cause the most property damage. Such colonies can host thousands of workers and larvae. Termites tend to live in the ground and may create a muddy nest around the wood. Carpenter ants prefer to stay above ground.
Professional Ant & Termite Control
Termites and carpenter ants are destructive but different in many ways. Carpenter ants build their nests inside wood structures, while termites feed off the wood. The ants are also bigger than termites. Such pests grow into massive colonies, so call an exterminator immediately if you see ants, termites, or other bugs near your home.
At Hornet Pest Control, we offer comprehensive services to help you get rid of pests. Our company specializes in termites, ants, bees, bugs, and rodents. We offer affordable rates and have a long history of providing effective termite control. Our team can help you keep your home, yards, and wooden structures free from destructive pests.
