The answer to 'which is worse carpenter ant or' is that carpenter ants are generally considered more problematic for homeowners than other common ant species. Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage to wooden structures, while other ants are more of a nuisance pest. Carpenter ants build their nests within the wood of homes, galleries, and other structures, which can weaken the integrity of the wood over time. This damage can be costly to repair.
In contrast, other common ants like pavement ants, odorous house ants, and pharaoh ants are more likely to be a nuisance, invading homes in search of food and water, but they do not typically cause structural damage. While they can be a hassle to deal with, their impact is generally less severe than that of a carpenter ant infestation.