We’ve identified more than 900,000 species of insects. Don’t worry, though, most of them are harmless.
Some, however, are considered to be pests. That is, they pose a threat to humans or to their interests.
Take cockroaches, for example, they’re a carrier of many diseases including cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery.
Other insects, such as termites, can cause damage to buildings and property. The same goes for carpenter ants; they’re known for damaging wooden structures.
What are the differences between carpenter ants vs termites? Want to know? Then make sure to read the rest of the post!
What Are Termites?
Termites are winged insects that mostly feed on dead plant matter such as leaf or wood litter. Because of this, they can cause considerable damage to buildings.
Whitish in color, they live in colonies that can contain up to two million individuals.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are known for their ability to damage wooden buildings. Unlike termites, however, they don’t actually eat wood. Take cockroaches, for example, they’re a carrier of many diseases including cholera, typhoid fever, and dysentery.
Instead, they hollow tunnels through the structures, damaging them in the process. Generally speaking, they’ll do this while foraging for food.
Carpenter Ants vs Termites: The Differences in Damage
In general, carpenter ants cause less damage than termites. This is due to the fact that they do not continue eating the wood as food.
That’s not to say that they can’t cause significant damage, however. If anything, unnoticed infestations can easily weaken the structural beams in your home.
In fact, they’re responsible for millions of dollars of damage in the United States every year!
With that said, termites will generally invoke more damage and accomplish it in a shorter period of time. That’s why it’s so important to hire a professional if you suspect that you have an infestation.
The sooner you get rid of them, the better!
Getting Rid of Carpenter Ants and Termites
First things first, it’s important to identify the culprit that’s responsible for the problem. Once you’ve done that, you can move on to treatment.
Given the amount of damage that they can cause, it’s highly recommended that you hire a pest control company such as Fast Action Pest Control. In other words, don’t try to get rid of them yourself.
For one thing, the treatment has to be applied correctly for it to work and the instructions on the product might not always be straightforward. Not to mention that you’ll have to purchase all the necessary equipment.
Dealing With Carpenter Ants and Termites
And there you have it—a short guide on the differences between carpenter ants vs termites. The bottom line is, they both have the potential to cause significant damage to your house! Given that, you don’t want to wait if there’s a problem.
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