When you hear the word “ants,” you might not think of different species of ants. To you, all ants might seem the same; annoying pests that invade properties and wreak havoc. However, not all ants are the same. There is a specific difference between pavement ants and carpenter ants. Knowing the differences between the two can help you determine which ones currently plagues your property and if you need to call your local ant control company.
Pavement Ants
Pavement ants are relatively small ants measuring just 2.5 to 3mm in length. They appear reddish-brown or black in colour. Most commonly, they nest within cracks along the sidewalk or in your driveway. You can tell if you have pavement ants on your property if you see a mound of dirt sitting on top of the pavement.
Pavement ants also have no issue taking up residence within the spaces between your stone or brick patio, or within the spaces between bricks of your home. If necessary, a pavement ant will build a nest under mulching, particularly if the pile of mulch sits near a foundation.
At times, they will make their way inside your home, in which case they will build nests within your walls and insulation, or under your floors. Although they may not necessarily create a lot of property damage, they are still an annoying pest that can invade your home and cause you unnecessary distress.
They are not an aggressive ant, so you do not have to worry about them stinging or biting you. Keep in mind, however, that they do have the ability to sting if they feel threatened. Although they would rather avoid confrontation, the will use stinging as a form of self-defence, but only out of necessity.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are larger-sized ants and a rather big problem for homeowners. If you have ever seen a big ant crawling around outside or even if your home, it could indicate a major issue. Carpenter ants are often as destructive as a termite. They can cause about as much damage to a structure as a termite. In fact, the damage they cause is often confused with the damage caused by termites.
Carpenter ants damage wood, though they do not eat the wood as most people believe. Instead, they hollow it out so they have a place to build their nest. Keep in mind that it can take years for a carpenter ant to create significant damages to your home, but termites can cause those same damages within a matter of weeks.
If left unchecked, an infestation of carpenter ants may cause structural damages to wooden support beams, floorboards, and wood trim around doors and windows. They prefer moisture, so they prefer to hang out in bathrooms, laundry rooms, and around the kitchen sink or dishwasher.
You can tell if you have carpenter ants in your home with proper identification. Since they have wings, they are often misidentified physically as termites. However, you can tell the difference simply by looking at their antennae, which has an elbow. They will also have a narrow waist with a pinched appearance and a broad waist.
The carpenter ant is roughly 3.5 to 13 mm in length. The queen can grow up to 1-inch in length. The ants may come in a variety of colours, including red, black, brown, yellow and orange. Some of them may have a dual coloration of red and black. Currently, the carpenter ant is the largest ant species in the world.
If you notice that you have an infestation of pavement or carpenter ants in your home, contact a professional for assistance. A professional can remove ant populations from your home so you do not have to deal with it.