Do Termites Cause Ants to Infest Your Home?
WouterTermites and ants are often confused, but they are not the same thing. They both live underground, eat wood and use mud tunnels to move around. They can cause serious structural damage to your home. If you suspect that you have an infestation, contact a pest control professional.
Unlike ants, termites can’t be handled by a homeowner. They can be treated with insecticides designed for ants, but it’s not a good idea to kill an entire colony. It’s better to eliminate the nest as soon as possible, but you don’t want to destroy the termites themselves.
Both ants and termites have wings. However, they are different in shape and size. For instance, ant wings are larger at the back and smaller at the front. The wings of termites are uniform in size.
Both ants and termites can be found in areas where there are cracks in concrete or wood framing. These cracks can give them an opportunity to attack. If you notice a pheromone trail or a pinhole, you may have an infestation. You can also check for water pooling in your home. If there is standing water, this can be dangerous.
Termites are also a wood destroyer. They eat weakened, rotting wood. They can also be found in stumps and piles of sawdust. If you find termite wings discarded in or near a mud tunnel, this is a sure sign of a termite infestation.
When termites swarm, they look like flying ants. During the mating ritual, they discard their wings. During the swarming process, they fly around looking for new places to infest. This is an indicator that they are forming a new colony.
