Are Carpenter Ants Destructive?
YES! They can cause structural and cosmetic damage to a home if the infestation is not stopped. They dig tunnels in wood and can start many colonies. (a mature colony can have up to 100,000 ants) They love moist wood. Homes with moisture problems are great targets. However, they can nest in dry wood also. They find cracks and crevices and build their colonies/ nests. The potential damage to a structure depends on the size and number of colonies present. Also, the length of time they remain untreated. It is very important to find the nests/colonies and eradicate as early as possible. It may be hard to locate colonies. You may tap on wood in different areas, listening for a hollow sound (possible interior wood damage) this may also push the ants to come out of their nests. It is best to contact a pest control company if you see any signs of possible infestations.
Carpenter Ant Identity
Identifying Carpenter ants is easy. They are one of the largest species of ants in the United States. Carpenter ants range in size from 1/4 to 3/4 inches Most are dark brown or black. There are a few that vary in color and are reddish or a yellow coloring. They may also have a gray banding on the abdomen area. They have large mandibles and can pinch or bite. There are approx. 2 dozen species found in the United States.
How Do Carpenter Ants Enter a home?
Carpenter ants are found in old telephone poles, old wood fences and tree stumps. They find cracks and crevices to enter your home. They piggy back ride into your home on firewood. They come in off limbs brushing against the house or hanging over the roof. They find openings in unsealed areas around utility pipes (dryer vents, etc) They can have “secondary” (satellite) nests that they form inside your home and can be almost anywhere. Windowsills, fireplaces, baseboards, hollow doors The main nest where the queen ant lives is not usually in the structure but close by. Carpenter ants dig through wood making tunnels and “galleries”. The galleries can look similar to termite tunnels but the difference is that the gallery’s are clean, smooth and free of wood dust. The Carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They come into your home looking for food. They will eat anything you eat. They love anything sweet. Honey, sugar, cookies, candy. Ants will travel over 100 yards to find food. Sometimes you will just see individual ants and other times you will see a never ending trail of these little guys. They also eat other insects living or dead.
A Carpenter Ants Life and Family:
In late spring to early summer winged male and female ants mate. Soon after the male ant dies and the females lose their wings. The females then go and start their own colonies. The queen ant is responsible for laying eggs, thus starting the family. Once new colonies begin to mature (approx. 3 to 6 years to maturity) Usually there is one egg laying Queen per colony. Life is divided into 2 casts. Soldiers- guard the nest. The minor workers forage for food and take care of the youngsters. A colony can have up to 100,000 ants. During the summer months carpenter ants will forage during late afternoon. They blaze trails through landscaping, lawns, down sidewalks, up piping. They gather food wherever they can find it. They take it back to the nest and regurgitate it for use by the queen. The life cycle from egg to adult is estimated to be between 6 to 12 weeks. A queen can live up to 25 years. Over her lifespan she can lay thousands of fertilized eggs