What kind of ants are these, where do they come from, and how do I get rid of them? These are the questions typically asked by homeowners who have carpenter ants. Carpenter ants are one of the most common ants found in Kentucky.
They are also one of the most difficult to control. This publication will help you determine if you have carpenter ants, and provide tips on how to control them. Occasionally, swarms of winged carpenter ant reproductives will emerge inside a home. Carpenter ant swarms usually occur in the spring and are a sure sign that a colony is nesting somewhere inside the structure.
Winged carpenter ants can be distinguished from termites by their larger size and shape of their antennae, waist and wings. Besides being objectionable by their presence, carpenter ants damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting. They excavate galleries in wood which have a smooth, sandpapered appearance. Wood which has been damaged by carpenter ants contains no mud-like material, as is the case with termites.
Shredded fragments of wood, similar in appearance to coarse sawdust, are ejected from the galleries through preexisting cracks or slits made by the ants.
When such accumulations are found typically containing dead ants and bits of insects which the carpenter ants have eaten , it's a good indication that a carpenter ant nest is nearby.
Oftentimes, however, the excavated sawdust remains hidden behind a wall or in some other concealed area. Carpenter ants nest in both moist and dry wood, but prefer wood which is moist. Nests are especially common in moist, hollow spaces such as the wall void behind a dishwasher, or in a hollow porch column. Since there often will be no external signs of damage, probing the wood with a screwdriver helps reveal the excavated galleries.
Another technique for locating hidden nests is to tap along baseboards and other wood surfaces with the blunt end of a screwdriver, listening for the hollow sound of damaged wood. If a nest is nearby, carpenter ants often will respond by making a " rustling" sound within the nest, similar to the crinkling of cellophane. Carpenter ants may establish nests in a number of different locations. It is important to realize that these locations can be either inside or outside the structure.
Carpenter ants actually construct two different kinds of nests: parent colonies which, when mature, contain an egg-laying queen, brood and or more worker ants, and satellite colonies which may have large numbers of worker ants but no queen, eggs or young larvae.
Inside, they will also feed on sweets, eggs, meats, cakes and grease. The workers will forage up to feet from their nest. Although some workers are active during the day, most activity occurs from shortly before dusk until dawn. Carpenter ants build their nests outdoors in various wood sources, including tree stumps, firewood or landscaping.
They need a constant water source to survive. Carpenter ants will enter the house through wet, damaged wood. Carpenter ants do not eat wood but damage wood through their nest building. If they gain entry to a structure, they can pose a significant property threat.
If you notice carpenter ants, contact a licensed pest control professional immediately to discuss a proper course of ant extermination or control, including a plan for how to get rid of carpenter ants.
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Learn more about how specific pests survive the harsh elements. Advanced Search International Search. Carpenter Ants Camponotus species. What is a carpenter ant? Carpenter Ants Identification. Color Usually red, black or a combination. Legs 6. Shape Segmented; oval. Antennae Yes.
Region Throughout U. What do carpenter ants look like? Finding large numbers of winged ants indoors is a sure sign that a nest exists inside your home. However, finding one or just a few winged queens does not mean a nest is present indoors. The queens probably had just mated and entered the home searching for nesting sites. When they land after mating, their wings break off. Wingless queens found indoors are not an indication of an indoor nest.
They are new queens that have recently shed their wings and are still searching for nesting sites. Seeing carpenter ants indoors during winter means that there is an inside nest. Sometimes worker ants are carried in with firewood, but these workers are not able to start nests or cause any damage in homes.
When the nest receives enough warmth from sunlight, mild outdoor temperatures or from indoor heat, workers become active at night, searching for moisture, and can be seen around cabinets, sinks, dishwashers, rolled-up towels, bathroom tubs, sink and toilet areas. On a bright sunny day, ants may be seen walking through different areas of the house.
A carpenter ant nest can exist in a house during winter but not be noticed. If the nest is in a place that does not receive sufficient indoor heat or sunshine, such as a north-facing outside wall, the ants will remain dormant until spring. Carpenter ants damage wood by excavating and creating galleries and tunnels for their nest. These areas are clean, do not contain sawdust or other debris, and are smooth with a well-sanded appearance.
The damage to wood structures is variable. The longer a colony is present in a structure, the greater the damage that can be done. Structural wood can be weakened when carpenter ant damage is severe. Generally, damage occurs slowly, often taking years to occur. In order to eliminate carpenter ants nesting indoors, you need to locate and destroy their nest. This is often challenging as nests are hidden and not easily discovered. Careful observations of worker ants will help you find the nest.
Observe worker ants between sunset and midnight during spring and summer months. You can increase your chances of following workers to their nest by setting out food that they like. Many foods are attractive to carpenter ants. The best way to control carpenter ants is to locate and destroy the nest, replace damaged or decayed wood, and eliminate any moisture problems. Eliminating a carpenter ant nest can be difficult because of the hidden nature of the nest.
Carpenter ant control is usually best done by an experienced pest management professional. They have the experience, equipment and a wider array of products to more effectively control a carpenter ant problem.
You can help by telling the pest management professional about when, where and how many ants you've seen. Spraying foraging workers is not effective. It may temporarily reduce the number of ants you see. However, this will not eliminate a nest because:. Nests are often hidden in wall voids, ceilings, subfloors, attics or hollow doors. Don't do this yourself. Determine the nest's location as specifically as possible. Control should not be applied randomly through the home.
If the nest is exposed for instance due to remodeling or reroofing , you can use a liquid or aerosol ready-to-use insecticide. Often, carpenter ant nests found indoors are satellite nests that can be traced back to a parent colony outdoors.
Try removing the wood with the parent colony. When that is not possible, contact a professional to treat the carpenter ant nest. Trim branches that overhang buildings or electrical wiring to avoid giving carpenter ants easy access to your home. Parts of a tree can rot or become weak because of insects, disease or drought.
Carpenter ants use knots, cracks, holes and old insect tunnels to find entry into these areas.
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