Carpenter ants and termites have been battling for centuries over real estate. Most often one finds a structure of wood before the other, however, on occasion, they both find the same piece of wood and a fight ensues. What’s sad is that it is never a close fight. Carpenter ants win against termites 10 times out of 10. Our question for you today, is which of these pests is more worrisome to find in your home? Do you think you know the answer? Let’s find out together.
How To Identify Termites
Termites are social insects that are often described as white ants. The only thing is, you are much less likely to see a termite than you are to spot a carpenter ant. This is mainly due to the fact that termites need to stay moist to survive. To do this they stay deep underground or hidden within water damaged wood. The only real way to identify termites is by the damage they cause.
How To Identify Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are much easier to identify for two reasons. To start, carpenter ants are the largest species of ant here in Texas and can grow to be upwards of ⅝ of an inch in length. The other reason is carpenter ants often come above ground. It is not uncommon to spot red and black carpenter ants around the homes they have infested.
What Are Swarmers?
Both termites and carpenter ants produce winged versions of themselves called swarmers. These winged scouts are much more difficult to tell apart than workers are. The question is, what does spotting swarmers mean. Well, if you spot swarmers around your home then it most likely means there is an active colony of either termites or carpenter ants nearby. On the other hand, if you spot swarmers inside your home, it is more likely that you have an active infestation already destroying your home’s wood.
What Attracts Termites and Carpenter Ants?
Termites and carpenter ants are drawn to homes by many of the same factors. For one, both carpenter ants and termites look for wood that has been softened by water damage, rot, or decay. This makes it easier for them to create their tunnels and, more specifically, helps termites keep their bodies hydrated. One thing that you should keep in mind is that only termites consume wood. This means that factors such as wet cardboard, damp newspapers, and other cellulose-based items will draw in hungry termites, but will not attract carpenter ants who are looking for a solid structure in which they can build a nest.
Which Is Worse, Carpenter Ants Or Termites?
At the end of the day, termites are much more destructive than carpenter ants for one major reason. They are better at staying out of sight. As long as you know what carpenter ants look like, you can spot an infestation as it is beginning and have it dealt with before any major damage takes place. Termites on the other hand are adept at staying out of sight. This allows them to damage homes undetected for years, making them far more destructive in the long run.
What To Do To Protect Your Home Against Wood Destroying Pests
It really doesn’t matter which pest is more destructive, what matters is that your home has the protection it needs to stay safe. If you are looking for the absolute best way to defend your home against wood-destroying pests, we have reliable options here at Innovative Pest Control.
Contact our team today to find out what options are available to you or to schedule a detailed inspection of your home and property.
Categories:
- Termite Control,
- Carpenter Ant,
- Termite Prevention
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