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It almost seems like if a home doesn’t have Carpenter Ants it’s just a matter of time before they do. These ants are attracted to moist rotting wood. They don’t actually eat the wood but carve tunnels and chambers through it to use as a major nesting site. As the colony grows so does the damage to the wood.
Carpenter Ants do not need rotting wood but prefer it due to it’s pliable texture. They are also known to nest inside styrofoam insulation, under regular insulation, and even under old tarps sitting outside.You can find carpenter ants nesting just about any place in and around a structure. Examples are: old dying trees, tree stumps, and firewood. You also may be dealing with more then one colony.Carpenter Ants will will establish satellite colonies through out the area.
The main colony is usually found outside in a tree. It takes approx. 3 months months in ideal conditions to form a colony. A thorough and complete exterior program will be needed ongoing in order to keep Carpenter Ants out. The main colonies and satellite colonies communicate. Once the satellite nest is removed from your home that main colony will continue to try and re infest your home, usually in the same location.
Carpenter Ant Damage
Mature carpenter Ant colonies contain approx. 3,000 or more workers. They produce major and minor workers, each has it’s on duties. They can live for approx. 7 years. The queen can live for over 25 years.. Ants also produce “Swarmers” or secondary reproducers which will eventually become a queen for a satellite colony.
Carpenter Ants go through complete metamorphosis (Egg, Larvae, Pupae, Adult) This life cycle takes between 2 – 10 months to complete depending on environmental conditions.
If you think you are having a problem with Carpenter Ants what should you do?
Carpenter Ant Damage
If you are in the Albany, Saratoga county, upstate NY or Vermont area, call Nature’s Way Pest Control for a free inspection. Inspection is the most important aspect of a Carpenter Ant elimination, it’s the first step in eliminating the colonies. After Nature’s Way provides our inspection of not only the structure but also the property we will have an excellent idea of what is going on. In conjunction with the inspection there will be a variety of questions asked by one of our professional technicians. By the time we are finished we will be well on our way of ridding the structure of these wood destroying insects. In most cases we will recommend a complete I.P.M program to completely eliminate the colonies. A one time treatment in most cases isn’t suggested. Nature’s Way Pest Control will provide inspections, liquids, baits, monitoring applications as part of your complete Carpenter Ant removal package. We use botanical insecticides to eliminate your problem. We always keep your health and the environment in mind. All applications will be done in a manner that is consistent with the product labels and the rules and regulations set forth by state regulations.
If you are noticing Ants with Wings this could mean you have a mature nest nearby. These secondary reproductive s will eventually lose her wings and become another Queen for a new Carpenter Satellite nest.
* Notice the rather large mandibles on the head. These are meant for chewing on wood.
Carpenter Ants have small yellowish hairs on the abdomen, and you will usually notice rings around the abdomen as well. They also have a heart shaped head.
Carpenter Ants can be a variety of colors and sizes. Generally Carpenter Ants are black but we do have a species in the Northeast that are black and red. Capenter Ants are a single node insect. You can see it in this image between the abdomen and then Thorax. It’s a triangle shaped appendage.
Carpenter Ants love to eat sweet foods. They will eat just about everything humans eat. If they run out of a food source they will also consume one another.
Carpenter ant control and prevention in Albany, Saratoga County, Upstate NY and Vermont is our specialty. Pest control and inspection is one of the most important steps that can be taken to eliminate carpenter ants. Contact us today for a free inspection of your home.
This video shows a contractor who thought he had all the Carpenter Ants under control. I came in with our products and this is what followed.