If you’ve noticed one or more of the following issues in your home, there’s a good chance you’ve got an infestation of creepy crawlies:
Walls that appear as sagging Windows that no longer open and shut piles of small insect bodies properly.
But which of these insects causes the most damage and most serious problems? That depends on whether you’re dealing with a fire ant vs carpenter ant.
Before you go out and hire an exterminator, read on to learn more about what to expect, who’s bad and who’s good, and (most importantly) who’s the best value at taking care of your creepy crawly problem.
Differences in Distinguishing Identifiable Features
The distinguishing features of fire ants and carpenter ants greatly assist in identification. Fire ants tend to have a unique reddish-brown to black color and are about 1/8 of an inch in size, and they have a painful sting.
In contrast, carpenter ants are typically black or reddish and range in size from 1/8 of an inch to ½ an inch in length. Carpenter ant infestation also causes destruction to wood around homes, while the fire ant does not.
Differences in Diet & Habits
Fire ants primarily feed on other insects and some vegetation. They also have a tendency to scavenge for food, such as honeydew, left by other insects. They may also feed on a variety of other items, including various proteins, carbohydrates, and fats.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, are mainly scavengers of dead or decaying wood, but they are also known to feed on other foods, including other insects, other ant species, honeydew, and proteins.
Differences in Damage & Invasive Potential
Fire ants are much more damaging and invasive compared to carpenter ants. Fire ants have the potential to cause significant damage to homes, gardens, crops, and other structures. They create mounds in yards, chew through plant roots, and can even bite people.
Additionally, fire ants are known to spread invasive plants, resulting in long-term destruction of the environment. On the other hand, carpenter ants are not known to cause as much damage as fire ants. They do not cause the same level of harm to ecosystems.
Differences in Natural Predators & Control Methods
Fire ants have been an invasive species in many parts of the world and typically have no natural predators, meaning their numbers can quickly become out of control. In order to combat this, chemical sprays are used to disrupt their populations, as are dry ice and boiling water treatments.
Carpenter ants, on the other hand, have several natural predators which can help keep their population in check. These predators include ants, flies, spiders, and beetles. In addition, there are other control methods, such as baiting and sealing entry points, which can prevent carpenter ants from entering a building. Discover more about fire ant infestation and how to get rid of them.
Learn the Differences Between a Fire Ant vs Carpenter Ant
A fire ant vs carpenter ant can present a challenge to tell them apart. However, doing a thorough visual identification, researching the behavior, and inspecting potential nesting areas will help identify differences and provide a solution.
Don’t hesitate to ask an exterminator for help in distinguishing the two and ridding your home of the ant infestation.
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