How Can I Tell if I have Termites or Carpenter Ants in Woodbury, NJ? Appearance, Diet & More

When it comes to insects that can destroy your house, you don’t want to take any chances. There are two pests that people think of right off the bat when they think of wood destroying insects: carpenter ants and termites. These two insects cause a lot of grief to homeowners every year in the US. They can be incredibly destructive when they make their way into your home. However, they behave quite differently and treating your home for them will be different depending on what you are dealing with. Ross Environmental Solutions is here to talk about the differences between carpenter ants and termites so that you know what you have on your hands.

How to Visually Tell the Difference Between Ants & Termites?

The first big differences between termites and carpenter ants is the way they look. While to the untrained eye, they might look rather similar, they actually have some distinct differences about them.
– Body: The body of carpenter ants and termites are different if you look close. The body of a termite is long and straight. Carpenter ants aren’t going to have a straight body, but they will have a pinches waist.
– Wings: Both of these insects have two sets of wings when they are in a swarming state. Termites will have two sets that are the same size. Ants will not have wings that are the same size. They will have a large set and then a smaller set as well.
– Antennae: If you look at the antennae of these insects, they are different as well. Termites will have a long and straight antennae. While carpenter ants have antennae that have a bend to them.

What Do Carpenter Ants & Termites Eat?

Another distinct difference that is worth noticing between ants and termites is their diet. When you have termites that have infested your home, they are living outside in a nest and traveling to the home to actually ingest the wood. The cellulose that is in wood is what they eat. Carpenter ants aren’t that way though. They will forage for food and simply build their nests in the wood. They will hollow out the wood to create galleries where their colony can thrive. Termites are far more destructive in a short amount of time because they are actually eating the wood to survive.

How Do I Get Rid of Termites & Ants?

It is important to note that when you have either a termite or a carpenter ant infestation in your home, it isn’t something you should try and handle on your own. The longer they are in your home, the more extensive the damage is going to be to your property. If you have noticed you have signs of carpenter ants or a termite infestation in your house, you can turn to the professionals at Ross Environmental Solutions to help you get rid of them as soon as possible. Call us today!