How do I recognize
a carpenter ant?
The carpenter ant is a
large member of the ant family, measuring 6 to 13 mm
(1/4" to 1/2"). Color is either black or black with red.
Antennae are elbowed and they have large heads with
strong mandibles (jaws) used for chewing. Reproductive
forms are winged.
Do carpenter ants
cause damage?
Yes. Because carpenter
ants tunnel in wood to build their colonies. An
infestation can cause serious structural damage if left
unchecked.
When are carpenter
ants most common?
You are most likely to see
swarms of winged (reproductive) carpenter ants in May
and June as this is their mating season.
Where am I most
likely to find carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants prefer
moist areas and may construct their nests anywhere in
the home including walls, ceilings, attics, doors,
sills, shingles and insulation. Carpenter ants are most
active during the night when they forage for food.
Are carpenter ants
hazardous to humans?
Yes. Since carpenter ants
are attracted to foods such as honey, jelly, fruit and
meat, they can carry disease germs from one area to
another. Although they do not sting, they can inflict
bites.
What are their
breeding habits? Do they multiply quickly?
Carpenter ants are social
insects, living in colonies. Within the colony, winged
reproductives are not produced until the colony is
established, which takes about two to three years. After
mating, the winged reproductives leave the colony to
establish new ones. Once established, an average colony
contains 2,000 to 3,000 carpenter ants.
Do weather
conditions affect the size of a carpenter ant
infestation?
Yes. Warm, moist weather
presents ideal conditions for carpenter ant colonies to
establish themselves.
How can I tell if I
have a carpenter ant infestation on my property?
The presence of worker
ants in your home is one of the first indications of an
establishing carpenter ant colony. Check all areas where
you suspect moisture. The presence of "frass" (chewed
wood similar to sawdust) is an indication of an active
nest. Any flying insect in the home is cause for concern
and a professional in pest control should be consulted.
What can I do to
prevent an infestation of carpenter ants?
The elimination of moist
conditions by providing good ventilation and isolating
wood from any direct contact with the soil will aid in
carpenter ant prevention. Foods should be kept in sealed
containers and areas where food is stored kept free of
spillage or crumbs. Eliminate old lumber, logs and
stumps from around your property and do not store
firewood inside the building. In the case of new
construction, only properly treated lumber should be
used.
If I have an
infestation of carpenter ants, what can I do to
eliminate them?
Both the detection and
elimination of carpenter ants can be a difficult and
lengthy process. It is recommended that an Kitsap
Pest Control service technician be contacted to
eliminate pests such as carpenter ants.
In
their natural surroundings, carpenter ants are beneficial
insects. Excavation of galleries in wood has earned them
their name. They are beneficial since they feed on many
pests. They are the largest of our common ants, the brown or
black workers measuring from 6 to 13 mm (1/4'' to 1/2") in
length, while the queen may be more than 25 mm (1'') long.
In late spring and early summer, mature carpenter ant
colonies produce winged adults. These swarm in mating
flights, and may be a nuisance around homes at these times.
Outdoors, they nest in any wood that is in close contact to
a moisture source, for example, stumps, landscape ties and
wooden fence posts. In buildings, they often make their
nests in hollow doors, in wood cabinets near dishwashers, in
damp locations behind baseboards, fireplaces, window frames,
and in basements and attics. Carpenter ants will rarely do
extensive damage to wood. They usually limit the size of the
colony to the area of the damp wood. Several so-called
satellite colonies may, however, be constructed in the same
structure.
