There are differences and similarities between carpenter ants and termites, yet to the untrained eye, these two wood-destroying pests are quite different report Monmouth County termite exterminators.
Both insects destroy wood, but in entirely different ways. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they do burrow through wood causing extensive damage. Termites on the other hand have a voracious appetite for cellulose, which wood provides. These creatures want and need it in order to survive.
In addition, carpenter ants and termites are known to be bitter enemies. A once accidental introduction between the two pests was made at my home after a load of mulch was delivered from a local home improvement store. About a week after the arrival of the mulch bags, we began to notice large black and red ants running to and fro. It did not take long for those foraging ants to find a nest of subterranean termites in a crack in the cement. It was fascinating to watch the smaller group of carpenter ants first drag off the soldier termites one by one what was sure to be certain death. Some termites were devoured on the spot while others were dragged off from their nest kicking all the way.
We were half way down the pallet of mulch bags before we found the massive nest of carpenter ants. It was then time to call a Monmouth County termite exterminator.