Any pests that pose a threat to your home are pests that you don’t want anywhere near it. There are two especially destructive pests that can wreak havoc on your house, termites and carpenter ants. These pests are two very different species though and behave quite differently. It is helpful to know the difference between them so that you know what you’re up against. Knock Em Out Pest Control is here to talk about what sets termites apart from carpenter ants.
Physical Differences of Carpenter Ants & Termites
There are quite a few physical differences between carpenter ants and termites. Knowing these differences can help you figure out what pest you’re dealing with.
– Body: Carpenter ants have a pinched waist, while termites have a straight, broad body.
– Wings: Both of these pests only have wings in the reproductive stage of their life cycles. They fly away from their colonies as they look for new places to build nests. Both insects have two pairs of wings, but termites have wings that are all the same size and shape. Ants will have two wings that are smaller than the other two bigger wings. It might be hard to decipher this one without getting a close look.
– Antennae: Termites will have straight antennae, while carpenter ants will have antennae that are clearly elbowed.
– Color: Their color might be a way to set them apart as well. Carpenter ants are usually black, with some of them a dark red. Termites are usually a dark brown to a creamy, almost white hue.
Carpenter Ant VS Termite Diet
The biggest thing that sets carpenter ants and termites apart from one another is the damage that they cause. Termites actually eat wood, so when they get into your house, they will start to eat away at the wood and cause a lot of damage fast. Carpenter ants don’t actually eat wood. They build their nests in wood. So, while they can cause significant damage to your home over time, the damage is quite a bit worse with termites. Carpenter ants eat foods that are sugary, greasy and will even eat other insects. Since ants don’t actually eat wood, they are going to be far more attracted to wood that has been significantly damaged by water. The wetter and softer the wood, the better for ants.
Life Cycle Differences Between Termites & Carpenter Ants
Another difference between termites and carpenter ants is their life cycles. They follow the same general caste systems, but as a whole, termites will out live carpenter ants. Some termite queens can live up to 30 years.
Carpenter Ant & Termite Pest Inspections & Control in Lansing, Michigan
If you suspect that you have carpenter ants or termites in your home, you can turn to Knock Em Out Pest Control to help you get rid of them. We know how destructive these pests can be and will work tirelessly to get them out of your home for good. We will also put some exclusion measures in place to keep them away. Call us today!
