![]() ![]() Termites, on the other hand, cause $5 billion dollars of building damage every year. And while carpenter ants can damage your home, it will take them a long time before doing significant damage to good wood. Because the damage is nearly always internal, piles of frass are your best indicator of carpenter ant infestations. Any wooden elements within the home (especially if they are important support structures) beginning to “sag” unexpectedly.Ĭarpenter ants create smooth galleries while nesting within soft wood and insulation.Thin, “bubbled” or distorted areas of paint on wooden surfaces, especially if these feel cool to the touch.long, on your window sill, counter top or floor (especially if it is late spring and there has been a recent rain). Thin, small, papery wings, all the same size and shape, 3/8-1/2 in.Pencil-sized diameter, or larger, mud tubes running across bare concrete or masonry between the soil and any wooden part of your home.These tubes are often visible in basements. Termites may make underground tunnels or above-ground “shelter tubes” of mud, feces and debris used to search for new food sources and to connect their nest to their food. ![]() Both carpenter ants and subterranean termites destroy wood including some of the most important parts of your home like structural beams, window and door frames, and more. Identifying their damage will help give you clues as to what kind of wood-destroying insect in nesting in your home. Have you ever wondered what carpenter ant damage and termite damage look like? It’s very possible that you can have an infestation without ever seeing the actual bugs. How can I tell if I have carpenter ant or termite damage? They are attracted to moisture that can exist around your property and even up against your home. Eastern subterranean termites on the other hand, eat wood. If you are finding small piles of wood shavings around your home, it could be the result of carpenter ant nesting. Small piles of what looks like wood shavings are left from the displaced wood at the entry and exit points. As they tunnel through damp wood or insulation, carpenter ants chew the material and spit it back out. Carpenter ants chew their nests in wood to build shelter, rather than consuming it like termites do. Carpenter ants prefer rotted wood, but you can also find them invading tree stumps and wood piles around your property. They may eventually work their way to fresh wood, but it can take quite a long time. While carpenter ants can damage wood, they tend to be attracted to wood that is already damaged by decay and water damage. Termites and Carpenter Ants: Differences in Behavior Carpenter ants are nocturnal pests, so you may catch them wandering around at night. This makes it easy to confuse them when you’re wondering if an insect is a termite or carpenter ant. Male carpenter ants and queens are generally larger than worker ants and have wings. They’re much larger than common nuisance ants that you’ll find trailing in kitchens and bathrooms in Wilkes-Barre, PA, so it’s fairly easy to tell the difference. The appearance of carpenter ants also varies according to their role, with worker ants ranging from 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. They’re dark brown and about 3/8 inch long. These are the easiest to recognize, as they fly during the day to swarm. Swarmers are the winged termites that move from the old colony to forge new homes. Soldier termites are significantly larger and have orange armored heads and mandibles. These tiny bugs are soft-bodied and translucent, at about 1/8 inch long. ![]() Queen termites are extremely large and can lay up to 2,000 eggs every day. Their appearance varies depending on their role in the colony and the stage of their lifecycle. These pests can cause significant damage to wood structures and furnishings. The most destructive type of termite in Wilkes-Barre, PA is the eastern subterranean termite. What do termites and carpenter ants look like?īefore you panic, look at the insects and see if you have a termite or carpenter ant infestation. What are carpenter ants and termites? How can you tell the difference between carpenter ant damage and termite damage? Our pest pros have the answers to these questions and more. Wood-destroying insects like carpenter ants and termites probably come to mind when you think of homes falling victim to dangerous pests. The worst case scenario for homeowners in Wilkes-Barre, PA is structural damage. Unfortunately, it’s also calling insects to invade your yard and home. It’s spring, and the beautiful weather outside is calling. ![]()
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