Carpenter ants do not eat wood, so they discard shavings as well as waste through a hole in the timber’s surface, and the falling frass piles up on the ground below. Carpenter Ants Monmouth County Eastern Termite Pest Control. Termites live underground and eat away at wood constantly, with little care about the damage they cause. The damaged wood looks like galleries chewed through the wood with finely sanded texture. Carpenter ants and termites are both insects that have the ability to destroy wood in their unique and own ways. Carpenter Ant Vs. Termite Damages. Being able to differentiate between the two is important for treating the potentially disastrous problems. While carpenter ant damage is in the millions. Termites. Termites Or Carpenter Ants What To Look Out For Steve. Termite vs. Carpenter Ant Damage. The two forms of damage look similar to one another and might not be noticed right away. But even termites and carpenter ants don't present the same level of threat when they chew their way into a home. Termites feed on cellulose in wood and consume timber from the inside out. These insects prefer wood that has been softened by water damage but they are more than capable of chewing through sound wood as they establish galleries and tunnel systems. One consumes wood, while the other one builds its home in wood structures by making holes. Considering that the two pests do not look similar, it is important that you identify the differences in the damages they create. Carpenter ants (Camponotus) and termites (Isoptera) share several similarities, not the least of which, is that they both are notorious for causing wood damage in homes. A termite has straight, beaded antennae, meanwhile, a carpenter ant’s antennae are bent or “elbowed.” Wings: Both insects are winged creatures and each has four wings. Termites cause significantly more wood damage, making them a much more damaging pest for your home. Carpenter ant damage vs. termite damage. In the spring carpenter ants and termites become very active in Pittsburgh, and when they are active they can cause a lot of damage to both personal items made of wood and to the wooden structure of your home. Termite damage or carpenter ant damage? ... Carpenter Ant Damage. Carpenter Ant Damage vs Termite Damage: What’s The Difference? Both termites and carpenter ants are best known for the damages they create to wood objects and structures. Carpenter Ant Infestation Signs Damage. Finding sawdust-like frass is another sign. Termite damage and a specific type of wood rot, known as dry rot, can not only be confused, but both can cause extensive damage to structures. Carpenter Bees: Giving Termites a Run for Their Money Over the years, Arrow Exterminators has educated countless customers on one of the South’s most notorious pests - termites. With the potential to cause more than $5 billion in structural damages each year, and often not covered by homeowners' insurance, termites are a definite threat to homes. The damage they cause differs in appearance from carpenter ants due to their biology and habits. A carpenter ant has a narrow waist and antennae that are bent. Carpenter ants create tunnels and galleries that are very neat, smooth and have a finished appearance.