If you’re like most people, the first time you heard the word “carpenter ants,” you probably thought of carpenters. And while carpenter ants do share their name with carpenters, there are some pretty fascinating differences between the two.
This blog post will discuss five facts about carpenter ants that you should know. Keep reading to learn more!
Outline:
- What Are The Characteristics Of Carpenter Ants?
- Carpenter Ants: Types
- Carpenter Ants: Life Cycle
- What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?
- Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
- How Do Carpenter Ants Cause Damage?
- How To Diagnose A Carpenter Ant Infestation?
- What Can You Do To Prevent Carpenter Ants?
- Some More Fascinating Carpenter Ants Facts
- Hero Pest Control Carpenter Ant Specialists
What Are The Characteristics Of Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are among the most prevalent ant species in the United States, ranging from 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch in length. They are black, dark brown, or light brown and have a segmented body with a narrow waist.
Carpenter ants also have large mandibles to bite and chew through wood. That is how they get their name, as carpenter ants damage wood by excavating tunnels and galleries inside of it.
Carpenter Ants: Types
There are two types of carpenter ants: primary and satellite.
Primary carpenter ants are the most significant carpenter ant and can be up to 20 mm long. They are black or red and have a single node on their petiole. Winged ants of this type are called “reproductive” and are responsible for starting new carpenter ant colonies.
Satellite carpenter ants are smaller, ranging from 12-13 mm in length. They are brown or black and have two nodes on their petiole. Worker Carpenter ants are sterile, wingless females. They protect the colony from predators and forage for food. They are also in charge of caring for the carpenter ant colony.
Carpenter Ants: Life Cycle
Carpenter ants go through four main stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa and adult.
The eggs are laid by the carpenter ant queen and hatch into larvae after about two weeks. The larvae then molt into pupae and finally emerge as adults.
It takes six to eight weeks for an egg to mature into an adult.
What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?
Carpenter ants are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals. Carpenter ants feed on honeydew (a sugary substance secreted by aphids), other insects, and other small invertebrates.
They will also feed on carrion, meaning they will eat dead animals(i.e., dead ants). Carpenter ants are attracted to sweets, so they will also feed on sugar-based foods like fruit juices and syrups.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
Carpenter ants live in colonies that can range from a few hundred to several thousand individuals, also called carpenter ant nests. These colonies typically have one or more queens and several sterile worker ants.
The nests of carpenter ants are usually located in moist or decaying wood, so carpenter ants are often found in homes and other buildings. Carpenter ants will also build their nests in tree stumps, logs, and hollowed-out twigs.
How Do Carpenter Ants Cause Damage?
As we mentioned earlier, carpenter ants cause damage to wood by excavating tunnels and galleries inside of it. This damage is typically superficial and does not pose a structural risk to the structure.
Black carpenter ants are the most common type of carpenter ant in the United States, and they are known to cause damage to both softwoods and hardwoods(dry wood). Red carpenter ants are more common in tropical areas and typically only damage softwoods(wet wood).
However, carpenter ants can cause severe damage if they infest a home or building already in poor condition. In these cases, carpenter ants can exacerbate the damage and even collapse the structure.
Must Read: How To Get Rid of Fleas Naturally
How To Diagnose A Carpenter Ant Infestation?
The best way to diagnose a carpenter ant infestation is to look for the telltale signs of carpenter ant damage. These signs include:
- Piles of wood shavings or sawdust near doors, windows, or other openings in the building can lead to pest problems.
- Swarms of carpenter ants are near these same openings.
- Sounds of carpenter ants chewing or scraping inside the walls.
If you spot any of these warning signs, it’s critical to immediately contact an expert pest control firm. A carpenter ant infestation can quickly become a severe problem, so it’s best to nip it in the bud as soon as possible.
What Can You Do To Prevent Carpenter Ants?
The best way to get rid of carpenter ants is to remove any potential nesting sites from your property. That includes things like firewood, tree stumps, and fallen leaves.
It would help if you also kept an eye out for carpenter ants already on your property and took steps to eliminate them. That can be done by using a household insecticide or calling a professional pest control company.
Some More Fascinating Carpenter Ants Facts:
- Carpenter ants are sterile, wingless females whose primary purpose is to forage for food and care for their colonies.
- A carpenter ant colony takes years to build. When one territory is created, subsequent colonies are established nearby. A typical colony has 3,000 members. Some colonies have been discovered to contain as many as 100,000 individuals.
- Carpenter ants cause damage to wood by excavating tunnels and galleries inside of it. This damage is usually superficial and does not pose a structural threat to the building. However, carpenter ants can cause severe damage if they infest a home or building already in poor condition.
- The queen may emit pheromones that influence the workers’ behavior. She can arouse or calm them as required.
- Carpenter ants chew through wood and construct hollow wood structures out of it.
- Queen carpenter ants only lay eggs during the spring and summer months.
- Carpenter ants are very clean insects and will often groom themselves and each other.
- Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal insects and are most active at night.
Hero Pest Control Carpenter Ant Specialists
Carpenter ants can cause a lot of damage to your property if left untreated. If you think that you may have an infestation, it is essential to contact a professional pest control company as soon as possible. Hero Pest Control has the experience and expertise necessary to get rid of carpenter ants quickly and effectively.
We offer various services to meet your needs, and we would be happy to help you get rid of these pesky pests for good. Visit our website or give us a call today to learn more about how we can help you!