Termites and carpenter ants look similar, but how you get rid of them is quite different.
Winged antlike bugs on your siding can spell trouble. A carpenter ant has a pronounced “waist,” and back wings that are shorter than the front wings. If this is what you have, you can probably get rid of them yourself. Find the working ants, which are large and black, and try to locate the nest. Use duct sealer to seal off points where electrical and gas lines enter your home. Use an insecticide labeled for carpenter ants. Then fix the moisture problem that was providing a good habitat for them.
If you think you might have termites, call a state-certified professional exterminator immediately. The inspection might be a bit costly but you could be saving thousands of dollars on repairs. The exterminator’s work should be guaranteed, and you should have your house inspected every couple of years after a treatment.
Paul Beard/Getty Images
Differentiate between termite and carpenter ants in order to know how to eliminate the pests.
