Carpenter Ants Vs Termites in Manalapan, NJ

Challenge

I have termites, or do I?

A frantic customer called us from Manalapan, NJ and told us that she thought she had termites flying all around her front door. I arrived at the house with my flashlight and probe in hand ready to inspect the property. As I approached the front door I saw 1000's of flying insects all over the flowers and landscape bushes. As I walked closer I noticed that what the customer believed to be termites were actually carpenter ants. 

Carpenter ants have 3 segments that I like to compare to a snowman when I am explaining the difference between carpenter ants and termites to a customer. If you think of this insect as having 3 parts, a head a body and a base...like frosty the snow man. Carpenter ants swarmers are typically much larger in size as well. They swarm, like termites, for mating purposes. 

Solution

I found the nest is a nearby tree trunk and told the customer that I would gladly take care of the issue right then and there. Locating the nest makes solving the issue much easier. She was grateful and the job was done within 45 minutes.