If you are like many people, when you see a swarming termite or a carpenter ant buzzing around the windows of your home, you wouldn’t really be able to tell the difference between the two of them. This is because there are so many similarities between these two insects. With as many similarities they have, there are just as many differences even though they may be more subtle. A-Tex Pest Management is here to today to talk about some of the differences between termites and carpenter ants so that you know what you are dealing with the next time you see them.
How Do Carpenter Ants Look Like & Different from Termites?
There are differences between carpenter ants and termites all across the board. We will start with the physical differences though. The way that they look is different if you get a close enough look at them.
– Body: The first difference is their waist and shape of their bodies. Carpenter ants have a pinched waist and termites will have a thick body that is the same oblong shape from top to bottom.
– Antennae: Termites have antennae that are straight as an arrow while carpenter ants’ antennae are clearly elbowed.
– Wings: While both of these insects have two sets of wings, carpenter ants have wings that aren’t the same size as one another. Termites have two sets of wings that are identical in size.
– Color: Another difference is their color. Termites are a light, almost transparent color while carpenter ants are usually red, dark brown or black.
How Can You Tell the Difference Between Carpenter Ant & Termite Damage?
The biggest difference between these two insects may be the way that they damage your house. While carpenter ants cause structural damage, termite damage is usually much more severe. Carpenter ants hollow out wood to build their nests, but they don’t actually eat any of it. Termites don’t actually live in wood, but they do eat it. Because the wood is the actual food source for termites, the damage that they cause is much more extensive. Termites are known as “silent destroyers” because they can cause so much damage in such a little amount of time if their colony is large enough. This is why it is so important that you move quickly if you see any signs of termite activity around your home. When you see a termite buzzing around your windows, this is a sure sign that there is a sizeable termite colony somewhere and they are looking for a new place to build a nest and establish another colony.
Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment Control & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If you have a sneaking suspicion that you have termites in your home somewhere, it is time to turn to the pest professionals at A-Tex Pest Management to inspect your home and start working to get rid of the termites that are there. With our extensive experience in dealing with termite infestation, we will successfully get rid of any termite issue you may have. Call us today!
