Do I have Ants or Termites? Termites Vs. Ants!
How To Tell The Difference Between Ants And Termites. Plus, How To Spot Termite Swarmers
We’re coming up on termite swarmer season in the Kansas City area, and one of the inquiries we receive most often around this time of year is regarding the difference between flying ants and termite swarmers. So… Do what is it? Termites Vs. Ants.
Swarms are provoked by heavy rainfall and warm, humid temperatures, so most species of subterranean termites swarm during the spring and summer months, typically on a warm day with calm winds after rain. Swarms occur when established termite colonies produce winged male and female termites in order to reproduce.
According to PCT Magazine, since numerous species of termites and ants swarm at the same time of year and they somewhat resemble each other, they can easily be confused for each other.
How To Tell The Difference Between The Bodies Of Termites And Ants?
How To Tell The Difference Between The Behavior Of Termites Vs. Ants?
Subterranean termite colonies nest in the ground. Swarmers may emerge in your yard or your house. Both ants and termites can be found residing in wood and colonies. One of the key differentiators is this: wood is not a food source for ants, unlike termites. Termites reside and eat away at decaying trees/stumps, wood debris, and wooden structures.
Both ants and termites live in large colonies with designated caste systems. Termites can be found in decaying trees, stumps, wood debris, lumber, and the wooden members of a structure. Some ants, like carpenter ants, similarly reside in the wooden parts of structures.
Termites can cause serious structural damage since they eat the wood, while carpenter ants do not eat wood and thus generally do not cause structural damage. Carpenter ants excavate the wood so they can reside in that wood and therefore they leave frass (wood shavings) but termites do not. Subterranean termites (the name states this) don’t like to be exposed to the air and like to live underground.
Did you know that termites cost Americans more than $5 billion in damage each year?
Looking For A Termite Inspection In Kansas City?
If you’ve read this blog and you’re still unsure or you’re worried about a potential termite threat in or around your home or business, we’re here to help!
Our peace of mind termite inspections are just $65, and we’re usually able to make it out within just a few days to take a look!
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