Buying a home is part of the American Dream. But, it is just the first step to ensure that your family has a safe place to live. Now that you are a homeowner, you need to keep up with maintenance and repairs. This process includes minimizing the risk of structural damage due to pest infestation from wood destroying insects, which is why you need to schedule a consultation with our team here at EcoGeek.

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Termites and carpenter ants aren’t only a nuisance, but these pests can cause serious damage to your home. If you suspect that there might be an infestation of these insects, then you shouldn’t procrastinate the decision to call a pest control team. Both of these insects are common in our area, and they can cause an invasion and damage to your property. Our team is working to educate our customers about pest control topics, and today we want to help you identify the differences between these pests:

The Difference Between Termites and Carpenter Ants

What is the difference between carpenter ants and termites? When homeowners think about wood destroying insects, they often discuss termites. But, carpenter ants are a real threat as well. If you are dealing with a pest control infestation, then identification of the insects is essential to ensure that the right treatment methods are used.

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Our team can visit your home to provide an exact diagnosis and a suggested plan for treatment. Here are a few identifiable differences between these two insects:

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Termites:         

• Have straight antennas with a beaded section         

• The body doesn’t have a waistline, and it is rectangular in shape         

• There are four wings of the same size, which are longer than the size of the body

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To compare, consider the appearance of the carpenter ants:         

• Defined waist in the middle of the body         

• The antennas are bent, like an elbow         

• They have four wings, with the front two wings being much longer than the back wings.

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One of the main differences lies in the way the insects destroy the wood. Termites eat the wood as they burrow down. On the other hand, carpenter ants dig through the wood and push it out of the nest opening. So, if you see piles of sawdust, then it is likely that you are dealing with carpenter ants and not termites.

Eliminating Termites and Carpenter Ants

These insects can cause thousands of dollars in damage to your home if the infestation is left untreated. If you have a home in our service area, then call our expert team for assistance. Contact our office when you are ready to schedule an appointment for a free consultation: (508) 280-1108