How do carpenter ant galleries differ from termite galleries?

Carpenter ant galleries are distinct from termite galleries primarily because they tend to follow the softer portions of the wood. Carpenter ants do not consume wood in the same way termites do; instead, they excavate it to create their nests and galleries. This selective digging occurs more in the softer areas of wood, which facilitates their tunneling and makes it easier for them to create a suitable habitat.

Termites, on the other hand, tend to consume wood as a food source, resulting in galleries that may not have the same selective characteristics. Their tunnels can be impractical and irregular, as they consume both hard and soft wood indiscriminately. This fundamental difference in behavior and method of wood interaction is why carpenter ant galleries are identifiable by their preference for softer wood areas, distinguishing them visually and structurally from those made by termites.