Termites vs Flying Ants

Serving Ventura County | Santa Barbara County

Distinguishing between flying ants and termites can be challenging. Flying ants are actually carpenter ants, which are among the more destructive types of ants. If you have carpenter ants in your home, their size, habits, and appearance might lead you to mistakenly call a termite exterminator. However, carpenter ants have unique behaviors and require specific, professional treatment methods. 

Termites and carpenter ants are both highly destructive pests that can cause significant damage to wood structures, requiring prompt and professional treatment to prevent extensive harm. The skilled exterminators at O’Connor Pest Control have the necessary tools and expertise to eliminate the problem and help prevent future damage to your home or business. 

How to Identify Ants vs Termites

The key to controlling wood-damaging pests begins with identifying which type you are encountering. Here are some tips for distinguishing between flying ants and termites:

• Bodily Features: Carpenter ants are somewhat larger than termites and have more distinct features, such as a narrower “waist,” larger antennae, and two wings of different sizes. In contrast, termites have a more uniform body shape, smaller limbs, and a pair of wings that are the same size.
• Visibility: Although termites can go undetected in your home for years, carpenter ants are more likely to show signs of their presence. They leave wood shavings where they dig and their discarded wings are often visible around your home.
• Diet: Carpenter ants don’t consume the wood they tunnel through. Instead, they prefer to feed on other insects, including termites. In contrast, termites eat cellulose from wood and thus remain within the structure of your house.
• Habits: Termites consume wood as their primary food source, causing direct damage to wooden structures. Carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to build their nests, leading to structural damage.

Carpenter Ant vs. Termite: Damage

Carpenter ants and termites are both notorious for causing damage to wooden structures, albeit through different means. Carpenter ants do not consume wood but excavate galleries to create their nests. They typically start in decayed or moist wood but can progress to sound, structurally sound wood as their colony expands. The damage caused by carpenter ants includes hollowing out wood, which can weaken structural integrity over time. 

Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat the wood; instead, they discard it outside their nests, leaving behind a sawdust-like material called frass. Termites, on the other hand, feed on the cellulose present in wood. They can consume wood from the inside out, leaving a thin outer layer that often masks the extent of damage until it becomes severe. Their damage can compromise the structural stability of buildings and require extensive repairs.

Need Help Identifying Termites or Flying Ants?

If you discover termites or carpenter ants, it’s crucial to seek professional help for their removal! Annual inspections by a reputable pest control company provide the most effective defense against these wood-destroying pests. Our professional exterminators will conduct thorough inspections of your home, ensuring year-round protection from the damage of termites and carpenter ants. 

If you’re dealing with termites or carpenter ants, don’t hesitate to give O’Connor Pest Control a call today for expert assistance! 

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