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 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.
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.
Watch our video on how to exterminate Carpenter Ants