--- title: Do I have carpenter ants or termites in my Massachusetts home? description: "One of the most googled Massachusetts pest control phrases is: do I have carpenter ants or termites in my Massachusetts home?" image: https://blog.burgesspest.com/hubfs/flying-ants-vs-termites.jpg --- [![Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Burgress_Oct2018/Images/Blog/Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png?width=468&name=Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png "Burgess-and-Capeway-logo.png")](https://www.burgesspest.com) 508-587-4309  |    [Customer Login ](http://login.burgesspest.com/) - - - - - Residential - [Pad Protection Plans](https://www.burgesspest.com/pad-protection-plans/) - [Ant Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-ant-control/) - [Tick & Mosquito Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tick-mosquito-control/) - [Rodent Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-rodent-control/) - [Bee Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bee-control/) - [Insulation Cleanouts](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-insulation-cleanouts/) - [TAP® Insulation](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-tap-insulation-installer/) - [Wildlife Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-wildlife-control/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-an-inspection/) - Commercial - [Partnering with Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/partnering-with-burgess/) - [3-Part Plan](https://www.burgesspest.com/inspect-detect-correct/) - [A Higher Standard](https://www.burgesspest.com/higher-standard/) - [Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/services/) - [Disinfectant Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/disinfectant-services/) - [Sanitation Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/trash-chute-elevator-pit-cleaning/) - [Pest Management for Food Services](https://www.burgesspest.com/food-services-pest-management/) - [Pest Management for Warehousing & Distribution](https://www.burgesspest.com/warehouse-distribution-pest-management/) - [Our Guarantee](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-guarantee/) - [Pest Management for Healthcare](https://www.burgesspest.com/healthcare-pest-management/) - Termites - [Termite Control](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) - [The Sentricon System](https://www.burgesspest.com/the-sentricon-system/) - [Schedule an Inspection](https://www.burgesspest.com/schedule-a-termite-inspection/) - Bed Bugs - [Identifying Bed Bugs](https://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-bed-bug-control/) - [Heat Treatments](https://www.burgesspest.com/bed-bug-heat-treatments-in-massachusetts/) - [Let’s Talk!](https://www.burgesspest.com/lets-talk-bugs/) - Resources - [Our Blog](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog) - [Video Library](https://www.burgesspest.com/video-library/) - [SDS](https://www.burgesspest.com/sds/) - [Consumer Bulletins](https://www.burgesspest.com/consumer-bulletins/) - Company - [Our Story](https://www.burgesspest.com/our-story/) - [Careers at Burgess](https://www.burgesspest.com/careers-at-burgess/) - [Service Areas](https://www.burgesspest.com/service-areas/) - [Customer Reviews](https://www.burgesspest.com/customer-reviews/) ## Our Blog # Do I have carpenter ants or termites in my Massachusetts home? By [Admin](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/author/admin)| Jun 6, 2016 2:48:31 PM |[0 Comments](https://blog.burgesspest.com/blog/do-i-have-carpenter-ants-or-termites-in-my-massachusetts-home#comments-listing) Simple question, right? Here's the scenario we hear about constantly. You see something flying (or walking) around your home that you can't identify and your mind begins to wonder. The title of this blog is a simple question, but unless you have a trained eye, most homeowners start frantically googling: do I have [carpenter ants](http://www.burgesspest.com/ant-control/) or [termites](http://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-termite-control/) in my Massachusetts home? Don't panic! Although a termite swarmer and a flying carpenter ant may look similar, they're entirely different pests.Here's a picture which illustrates some of the key differences, which we use at [Burgess Pest Management](http://www.burgesspest.com/) to help educate our clients. ![massachusetts carpenter ants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hubfs/flying-ants-vs-termites.jpg?width=592&name=flying-ants-vs-termites.jpg) Here are some other differences between termites and carpenter ants in Massachusetts that you might find helpful. - [Carpenter ants](http://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-pest-library/carpenter-ants-pest-management/) do not eat wood. They excavate, which leaves behind shavings. ![massachusetts carpenter ants](https://blog.burgesspest.com/hs-fs/hub/460754/file-2623090431.jpg?width=320&name=file-2623090431.jpg) - Termites are after cellulose, which is why they actually consume decaying plant matter - notably your home! - Termite swarmers are the [reproductive stage of termites](http://www.burgesspest.com/massachusetts-pest-library/termites-pest-management/). They shed their wings, so you may see a pile in your basement or near sources of light. - Massachusetts carpenter ants will retrace their steps. If you see one walking across your floor, follow it. There's a good chance that will help you to locate their nest. 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