Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants can cause significant damage to your home. These ants get their name because they make their nests in wood. Each colony is established by a single, fertilized queen. The colony population grows very rapidly.

 

SIZE:

Workers range between 1/8″ – 5/8″ and the queen up to 5//8″ in length.

DESCRIPTION:

Black, red or brown, or varying degrees of red and black.

HABITAT:

Carpenter ants like to build their nests anywhere they can find water and damp wood, such as tree stumps or even the plants around your house. Carpenter ants also build nests inside your home entering through wet or damp wood. Unlike termites Carpenter Ants do not eat the wood but leave behind a sawdust type material known as “frass”.

LIFE CYCLE:

The life cycle of a carpenter ant is approximately 60 days from an egg to adult.

TYPE OF DAMAGE:

Carpenter Ants dig smooth tunnels inside the wood when they build a nest in your house. This weakens the wood and potentially causes the homeowner thousands of dollars in repair costs.

PREVENTION:

Eliminate standing water. Carpenter Ants are attracted to moisture. Keep tree branches and plants trimmed back so they aren’t touching your house. Fill cracks in your foundation and make sure firewood and building materials are not stored near your home.