A carpenter ant infestation is nothing to take lightly. But if it’s a termite infestation, you’ll face an even bigger problem. Both pests cause widespread damage to homes and commercial buildings. It’s hard for the untrained eye to tell them apart, but McCall Service in Jacksonville, FL, is here with tips on how to tell the difference between these six-legged pests
3 Differences Between Termites and Carpenter Ants
Termites eat wood. Carpenter ants don’t.
Carpenter ants don’t cause the same structural damage as termites do. The damage carpenter ants cause affects the visual quality of your home, as they bore holes into the fascia, deck railings, and other wooden structures to build their nests. Termites consume the wood and will continue to eat until the wood source is gone.
They may look similar, but there are differences.
Termites and ants look similar in appearance but have some distinct differences. For one, a termite has a much larger head than an ant does. It also has a wider abdomen area and shorter antennae.
Carpenter ants tend to stay outside the home while termites can attack both inside and out. Both pests also congregate in massive colonies and huddle together as they work.
A termite infestation is worse than an ant infestation.
You don’t want ants or termites using your home for food or shelter. However, if you had to pick between the two, carpenter ants are the lesser of two evils. Termites attack wooden structures from below and above the ground (depending upon whether you’re dealing with drywood or subterranean termites) and will target exposed wood at any level. They cause massive structural damage and cost homeowners billions in repairs each year.
Professional Pest Control for Termites
Though a carpenter ant infestation isn’t as threatening as a termite infestation, it’s important to take care of it right away. Otherwise, these pests could damage your home’s exterior and bring down its value. Mistaking termites for carpenter ants will set you up for disaster down the road. Contact McCall Service in Jacksonville, FL, to have our professional pest control technicians identify the species and take the necessary steps to eliminate damaging insects from your property.
