Encyclopedia

of Home Improvements

*Carpenter Ant Control*

What are carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants are a wood-destroying member of the ant family. They live in all areas of the United States and feed on other insects and a variety of human food.

Like bees and termites, carpenter ants are social insects which live together in colonies made up of different types of members. A carpenter ant colony typically consists of males, queens and workers and may contain as many as 3000-4000 ants.

Black, and red and black, they are relatively large as ants go (1/4"-1 ½"). Carpenter ants are often confused with the termites because they can also destroy wood, and the reproductives have wings. However, unlike termites, they do not eat wood, but tunnel into it to make a nest. Carpenter ants leave wood shavings known as "frass."

Why do they enter your home?

To find food-Carpenter ants will forage up to several hundred feet and will eat most any household food.

To build a nest-The original source of a carpenter ant nest is usually outside your home in trees, a woodpile, or in the ground. When a colony increases in size or the present nest becomes unsuitable, they will migrate. Depending upon where they find ideal moisture conditions, they may build another nest in another tree, woodpile or in your home.

How do they get into your home?

Carpenter ants may enter your home by:

- Crawling up the foundation wall

- Dropping from tree branches

- Crossing telephone wires

- Being carried into your home in firewood

Economic Importance

Carpenter ants have a broad diet and are known to forage as individuals (not in trails) up to 300 feet from their nest, seeking food of both animal and plant origin both indoors and outdoors. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not feed on wood, but with their strong mandibles they frequently excavate wood when other cavities suitable for nesting are unavailable. Though carpenter ants are primarily nocturnal foragers, their large size makes even occasional encounters unpleasant for man people. Under some circumstances such as when they are nesting in lawns or in logs in picnic area, they cause a nuisance by biting people who inadvertently disturb them.

Indoors they consume and contaminate many foodstuffs found in kitchens and storerooms. They are particularly fond of sugar, honey, meat and butter. Outdoors they feed on live or dead insects, including swarming termites. They can cause increased damage to plants by tending aphids and other honey-dew secreting insects.

After Treatment

It does take time for the treatment to control the infestation. The length of time will vary among structures, but generally in 10-14 days it will be effective.

It is important to remember you may continue to see carpenter ants outside because they can be in your neighbor's trees, in woodpiles, etc., and will travel as much as 200 feet in search for food.

This is of course no cause for alarm. But if you see many carpenter ants indoors you may have a problem and should call it to our attention immediately.

Where will carpenter ants make a nest in your home?

- Wood affected by water seepage (plugged drain gutters, leaking
door and window frames, etc.)

- Wood contact with the soil (porch supports, siding, stairs, etc.)

- Wood in areas of improper ventilation (cellars, crawl areas, attics,
etc.)

- Void areas near a moisture source (hollow doors, under bathtubs, etc.)

Back to Topics Page

Contact