Fire ants are infamous throughout the United States.
This notorious pest is dreaded wherever it shows its face. Fire ants build mound colonies that can be an unpleasant irritant. They can also serve as entry points for flesh-eating tooth decay.
Carpenter ants also make their homes in the U.S. They certainly do not have a good reputation among home buyers. They can cause structural damage to the homes where they reside.
But how do you tell the differences between carpenter ants vs. fire ants? Read on to learn more.
The Basics
Red carpenter ants represent a few species of reddish-brown ants. Carpenter ants are primarily black and less aggressive than fire ants. Both species build colonies and nests with different characteristics.
Fire ants build large mounds in soil, whereas carpenter ants build their nests in moist or decaying wood. While neither species is pleasant to have around, carpenter ants can cause even more substantial damage than fire ants. They can bore through wood and cause structural damage.
The best prevention for both types of ants is to keep an open landscape around your home. This eliminates any decaying material or moisture.
It’s crucial to avoid cutting down old trees as this could push them closer to your home. Identifying which species of ant you have and knowing their removal strategies is crucial in preventing further infestation.
Prevention Methods
Prevention is the key to keeping Carpenter Ants and Fire Ants away from your home. Carpenter Ants and Fire Ants like to live in moist, warm conditions, so it is essential to eliminate potential areas in which they can hide.
Seal windows, doors, and any other cracks or openings that provide an easy access point for these ants. Caulk pipes and wiring topics and ensure that any outdoor areas or landscaping features are kept clean, dry, and properly sealed.
Keep grass and vegetation trimmed short and away from your home, and identify and take steps to remove any existing ant nests. Taking proper preventative steps can go a long way in deterring both Carpenter Ants and Fire Ants.
Signs of Damage
Signs of damage from carpenter ants can include small piles of sawdust around walls, windows, and door frames. Fire ants are a bit more intimidating. Their stings are excruciating, and their bites may cause an allergic reaction in some people.
Signs of damage from fire ants can include red welts on the skin or raised mounds of soil where they have nested. It is essential to distinguish between carpenter ants and fire ants since both can be intrusive yet are dealt with in different manners.
Nutrition and Diet
Carpenter ants are omnivorous feeders, so they eat various food sources, including live and dead insects, plant and animal material, food stored in houses, fruits, nuts, and other organic materials.
Fire ants, however, are primarily carnivorous. They feed on other small insects, arthropods, and other invertebrates, as well as plant sap and honeydew produced by some species of aphids and scales.
They also feed on other animals, such as centipedes, spiders, and small mammals. Fire ants are the only ants known to feed on mammalian blood, although this occurs rarely. In addition to their diet, nutrition varies between these two types of ants.
Carpenter ants consume natural and artificial sugar sources, whereas fire ants consume carbohydrates and proteins to meet their nutritional needs.
Avoiding Potential Allergenic Reactions
Carpenter ants are likely to be found in the attic, around damp wood, under roofing and siding, or in areas that have become damp or water-pooled. However, fire ants are usually found outdoors on the ground or near vegetation, so a reaction from these ants is far less likely in the home.
When handling or working around carpenter ants, wear gloves if any doubts arise to help prevent potential skin reactions. If a reaction develops, consult a doctor to see if an antihistamine or medication can help reduce the symptoms.
Identification
Carpenter ants are usually black in color and range between 6-30mm in length. They also have an uneven thorax with a higher back than the front.
On the other hand, fire ants are reddish-brown and 3-6mm in size. They also have a more uniform thorax with an even back and front.
Carpenter ants have antennae with a single curve, while fire ants have two. Regarding behavior, carpenter ants burrow tunnels and carved galleries in wood sections, while fire ants attack any intruder, especially humans.
Finally, carpenter ants have a single node and a constricted waist, while fire ants have two nodes and a thicker waist. Knowing how to distinguish between carpenter and fire ants is essential for effective pest control.
Habitat
Carpenter ants build nests in damp wood, such as rotting logs and stumps, and create extensive galleries in which to live. Fire ants prefer sunny, open land to create their nests in sunny spots in the soil, although they may also nest inside walls, furniture, tree stumps, and potted plants.
Fire ants will also create mound nests in grassy areas. Both ants can invade your home looking for food and water, but Fire ants often enter through indoor openings, such as electrical outlets and in potted plants.
Knowing which species of ant is invading your home and which habitat you prefer is essential to help you identify what prevention and control methods to use.
Hiring Pest Control
Both carpenter ants and fire ants can cause damage to homes, so it is essential to consider hiring pest control if any type of infestation is noticed. Pest control for ants can help identify the type of ant present and take the necessary steps to eliminate it.
In addition, Georgia pest control can recommend strategies to prevent future infestations, such as sealing cracks and holes, cleaning debris, and keeping all food sources secure.
Understanding the Differences Between Carpenter Ants vs. Fire Ants
The differences between carpenter ants and fire ants can be significant. Carpenter ants can often be controlled, while fire ant stings can be excruciating.
By following this guide to carpenter ants vs. fire ants you can make the right decision. Take action now before either and becomes a bigger problem!
