Carpenter ants have a habit of digging into damp, damaged, or decaying wood and using it for nesting sites. These pests can pose a significant threat when infiltrating living spaces, which include residential homes, commercial buildings, garages, sheds, and other properties.
The best method for removing carpenter ant infestations is by enlisting the services of ant control professionals. Licensed pest control experts have the tools and expertise required to correctly identify and eliminate carpenter ants before extensive damage is done.
WHAT DO CARPENTER ANTS LOOK LIKE?
Carpenter ants are rather large, with worker ants measuring up to ½ an inch and queen ants reaching up to one inch in length. Similar to other ant species, they will have six legs, a segmented body, and elbowed antennae.
In total, there are eight species of carpenter ants living in the United States. The most common species, Camponotus floridanus, is reddish brown in color with a black abdomen. Some ant species may be completely black or yellow as well. Reproductive members of a carpenter ant colony will have wings.
It is a common mistake to confuse carpenter ants with termites, as both of these wood-destroying insects have wings and they tend to swarm together. The main difference between the two insects is that termites eat wood, while carpenter ants only carve out wood for nesting. Additionally, the front wings of a carpenter ant will always be larger than the back pair, while the wings of a termite are all the same size.
WHERE DO CARPENTER ANTS LIVE?
Carpenter ants earn their name from nesting in damp or decaying wood. Trees, logs, and fallen branches are their most common nesting areas. Unfortunately for homeowners, they can also nest in building materials. If a wooden structure has been weakened over time by moisture, the ants may take their stay. Siding, roofing, sheds, porches, and support beams are all possible targets for an infestation. While digging through wood, they push excavation waste known as frass out of the nest. It is possible in some indoor nests to spot frass below one of their tunnels. The spot where ants push out frass is known as the kickout hole.
Carpenter ants will live together in colonies consisting of a single queen and thousands of worker ants. Since the queen is solely responsible for producing eggs, colonies can take between 3 to 6 years to mature fully. Once the colony grows larger, however, it will continue to persist. Waiting for the ants to die is not a viable solution, as the queen can live for up to 15 years while each worker ant lives up to 5 years.
Carpenter ants may also have multiple nesting sites near one another. If a colony is found nesting inside of the home, it may be considered a satellite colony. These smaller colonies consist only of worker ants, alates, and pupae. The main nest, including the queen, might be outside in a more established tunnel network.
DO CARPENTER ANTS CARRY DISEASE?
In contrast to other pests, Carpenter ants are not carriers of diseases. Nevertheless, they can transport bacteria that can cause various food-borne illnesses.
In their quest for food and water, ants diligently explore every nook and cranny of a home. This includes areas riddled with bacteria. If a carpenter ant comes from somewhere unsanitary, such as a toilet, sewer, or trash can, it can easily spread that bacteria to cleaner areas. The risk of contamination greatly escalates if ants infiltrate the kitchen or pantry.
Consuming food that has been contaminated by ants puts one at risk of salmonella, E. coli, strep, Shigella, Clostridium, and various fungal infections. If carpenter ants are found in the pantry or anywhere near food, discard these items immediately and contact local pest control services.
DAMAGE CAUSED BY CARPENTER ANTS
Carpenter ants play a big role in the ecosystem by aiding in the decomposition of rotten trees. However, it is detrimental when they conduct the same behaviors indoors.
The damage caused by carpenter ants can be extensive over time if not addressed promptly. Since they consume wood from the inside out, the damage they cause initially goes unseen. It may take several months to a year for property owners to notice potentially severe structural damage inflicted by these ants, resulting in warped, wobbly, and overall unstable properties.
ARE CARPENTER ANTS AGGRESSIVE?
Carpenter ants will bite to defend their nests. The discomfort of their bite can be attributed not only to their comparatively larger size but also to the deposition of formic acid when biting. While the majority of people experience only initial pain, some may endure additional reactions such as swelling, burning sensations, and itching. This is particularly true if the victim has preexisting allergies.
Despite this amplified pain, the formic acid is generally non-toxic to humans. However, prompt medical evaluation may be necessary to ensure no underlying complications. If symptoms continue to persist or if new symptoms arise, contact a healthcare professional immediately.
WHAT DO CARPENTER ANTS EAT?
Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat the wood they infest. Rather, they only chew through wood to create tunnels for nesting. That being said, the diet of a carpenter ant is essentially the same as other ant species and primarily consists of proteins and sugars.
Outdoor, carpenter ants feed on insects, animal carcasses, and occasionally honeydew. As soon as the ants come indoors, they begin scouting for any nutrient replacement they can find. Carpenter ants will feed on anything from leftover pet food to syrup stains on countertops. This makes it increasingly difficult to manage an ant problem, as the slightest traces of sugar or crumbs can signal a developing satellite colony.
HOW TO DETECT CARPENTER ANTS
Signs of a carpenter ant infestation include:
• Frass (a mixture of wood dust, ant droppings, and insect parts), trailing around window ledges, doors, or baseboards • Trails of ants foraging towards a food source • Faint rustling sounds between wall voids or near wooden beams • Small tunnels within moist or decayed wood
HOW TO PREVENT ANTS
To help prevent carpenter ant issues the following steps should be taken:
• Refrain from leaving dirty dishes unattended in the sink overnight • Mop and disinfect kitchen surfaces to remove sticky syrup residues • Store firewood in an outdoor location, such as a shed or garage • Seal any holes or cracks that the ants might be using to gain entry • Remove dead or rotting wood, especially if close to the property • Maintain a clean environment around food storage • Seek ant control services
HOW TO GET RID OF CARPENTER ANTS
Proper carpenter ant treatment involves the detection and elimination of all existing nests, including that of the main colony and all of the related satellite colonies. Failure to accomplish this will often result in re-infestation. Additionally, the complete eradication of carpenter ant populations is typically not possible with most do-it-yourself products.
As such, successful carpenter ant eradication should be left to a professional pest management provider.
Here at Newtown Termite & Pest Control we take ant control seriously. For this reason, we utilize a multi-faceted treatment process, which includes sprays, dusts, along with strategic drilling and sealing.
When implemented by our experienced technicians, our comprehensive treatment plan will work to ensure that your home remains free of carpenter ants.
