Carpenter Ants vs Termites: Know the Difference

February 05, 2026 · Regional Pest Guide Team · ants termites identification

Carpenter ants and termites both damage wood, and their damage can look similar at first glance. But they’re very different pests that require very different treatment approaches. Misidentification means wasted time and money.

Key Strategies

  • Carpenter ants excavate wood for nesting but DON’T eat it — they eat protein and sugar. Termites actually consume wood as food
  • Carpenter ant galleries are smooth and clean (sandpapered appearance). Termite galleries are rough, muddy, and contain soil and fecal material
  • Carpenter ants leave frass — piles of wood shavings, insect parts, and debris below their nest openings. Termite frass (drywood species) is tiny, uniform pellets
  • Carpenter ants are large (1/4 to 1/2 inch), dark, and you may see them foraging. Termite workers are small, pale, and avoid light

Additional Considerations

  • Swarmers: carpenter ant swarmers have a pinched waist, elbowed antennae, and unequal wing pairs. Termite swarmers have a thick waist, straight antennae, and equal wings
  • Carpenter ants prefer moist, damaged wood as nest sites. Fix moisture problems and the ant problem often resolves
  • Termite damage is usually more extensive and structural. Carpenter ant damage is typically localized around moisture sources
  • Treatment differs completely: carpenter ants respond to baits and nest treatment. Termites typically need soil treatment or bait monitoring systems

Taking Action

The key themes here are identification comparison damage treatment. Start with prevention, monitor for early signs of problems, and escalate to targeted treatments only when needed. Most pest issues are far easier to prevent than to resolve after they’re established.

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