What are Carpenter Ants vs. Termites?

Are you concerned that your home may have termites? Are you looking for pest control in Columbia, MD, or the surrounding areas, to help ease your mind? If you suspect that there’s an insect chewing your home’s wood frame it could be carpenter ants or termites. While both of them are equally damaging, it’s necessary to know which one is causing the damage. If you need pest control in Columbia, MD, or the surrounding areas, to assess the situation and bring you a long-term solution, consider Raven Termite and Pest Control.

Carpenter Ants and Termites

The first difference between ants and termites is their color. Carpenter ants are reddish and termites can be dark brown or cream white. While carpenter ants have a narrow waist, termites do not. Their body is rectangular without a constricted waist. Carpenter ants have bent antennae while termites have straight, beaded antennae. Both carpenter ants and termites have wings, but their characteristics tell them apart. Termites have wings that are longer than their body. Carpenter ants have hind wings that are shorter than their front wings. They are more durable than termite wings and do not unusually long compared to their body.

Damage Caused by Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants damage wood to make nests rather than eat it for nutritional value. They clean their galleries of wood so it’s smooth inside and create holes to eject unwanted debris. This looks like a pile of wood shaving. The damage they cause can vary. If they’ve been actively infesting properly for a long period of time, you can expect the structural damage to be at its worst.

Damage Caused by Termites

The damage caused by Subterranean termites may go unnoticed until there’s a full-blown infestation. This damage can be mistaken for water damage. Swollen floors and ceilings, buckling wood, and a scent similar to mildew are common outward signs. Drywood termites build their colonies on structures that they feed on. You may notice maze-like tunnels and veneer cracks in furniture pieces, walls, or floors.

Looking for Pest Control in Columbia, MD to Help Make an Assessment?

Raven Termite and Pest Control is appropriately licensed and has over 18 years of experience in the pest control industry. We offer dependable, environmentally friendly, and affordable pest control services to our clients. Whether you have flies, silverfish, cockroaches, termites, or carpenter ants, we have a detailed program for you. Click here to contact us today!
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