How to tell if you have Termites or Carpenter Ants
Both antsand termites swarm when it's time for mating, and both are known for causing damage to wood. In fact, there are many species of ants that swarm and may be confused with termite swarmers. However, they have more differences than they do similarities.
Termites are known for eating wooden structures because they need the cellulose within the wood to survive. Carpenter ants make their homes in the wood, excavating the shavings as they burrow further into structures. Unlike termites, carpenter ants' diets consist of other insects.
A termite's habitat depends on the species. Unless you spot a swarm, you're more likely to spot signs of termites rather than the actual insects. Key signs that you have termites include discarded wings, mud tubes and wood damage for subterranean termites. Termite pellets, or "droppings," can be a sign of drywood termites.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, will venture out to forage for food, so you may actually see them in your home.
Moisture in your home attracts both ants and termites. Naturally, they're also both attracted to wood and easy points of entry. However, that's where the list of what attracts carpenter ants and termites begins to deviate. Another difference between termites and ants is that the carpenter ants don't eat wood (as mentioned above), so they'll be attracted to other sources of food, and may be seen wandering on window sills and baseboards.
Carpenter ants swarm when it's mating time. This means that you could see something resembling a flying ant. And that could be exactly what it is. Carpenter ants that are swarming do have wings and look similar to flying termites. But flying ants and flying termites have different body shapes, antennae and wings (see image above).
