Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants
Worldwide, there are over 900 species of carpenter ants.
These ants are long-legged, fast moving ants that are capable of inflicting a painful bite.
They are among the largest of ants and do invade homes to forage for food and build nests.
Description Carpenter ants are large reddish brown to black ants from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length.
Their abdomen pedicel consists of one segment.
The black carpenter ant, most common in the north eastern states is a dull black color and has yellow hairs covering it's abdomen.
The red carpenter, most common in the gulf coast states, has a red head and thorax with a black abdomen.
Life Cycle Ants develop from an egg to larva and pupa, to an adult worker or reproductive.
They make new nests by sending out winged reproductives that mate and start a new colony.
The mating flights take place in spring and depends on temperature and other environmental conditions.
Winged reproductives fly at night during the rainy season.
Following flight the queen drops to the ground and begins searching for a suitable nest site.
Nests are often constructed under loose tree bark and in wood that is on the ground.
When a suitable nest is found the queen lays eggs, which will mature into adult ants within 50 to 70 days.
A carpenter ant colony can reach several thousand workers.
Feeding And Foraging Habits Ants forage at night, from just before sunset to two hours after sunset.
They have loose, not very well defined trails.
The ants are found feeding on sweets such as honey dew on shrubbery, and nectar from flowers.
These ants will also eat live and dead insects when young ants are being reared in the colonies nest.
How to get rid of carpenter ants Direct treatment or removal of the nest is recommended.
However, finding the nest site can be very difficult.
Sealing gaps in your house's exterior, removing tree stumps, wood piles and a chemical treatment will provide effective control of your ant problems.
To find a nest inside your house, follow foraging ants in the evening hours as these ants will lead to the nest.
When the nest is found, treat it with a labeled insecticide for carpenter ants.
Insect baits are also available and should be placed according to the products label, where they are foraging for food.
With the combination of a bait application, nest removal or chemical treatment and excluding openings outside your house you will be able get rid of carpenter ants like a professional.
These ants are long-legged, fast moving ants that are capable of inflicting a painful bite.
They are among the largest of ants and do invade homes to forage for food and build nests.
Description Carpenter ants are large reddish brown to black ants from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length.
Their abdomen pedicel consists of one segment.
The black carpenter ant, most common in the north eastern states is a dull black color and has yellow hairs covering it's abdomen.
The red carpenter, most common in the gulf coast states, has a red head and thorax with a black abdomen.
Life Cycle Ants develop from an egg to larva and pupa, to an adult worker or reproductive.
They make new nests by sending out winged reproductives that mate and start a new colony.
The mating flights take place in spring and depends on temperature and other environmental conditions.
Winged reproductives fly at night during the rainy season.
Following flight the queen drops to the ground and begins searching for a suitable nest site.
Nests are often constructed under loose tree bark and in wood that is on the ground.
When a suitable nest is found the queen lays eggs, which will mature into adult ants within 50 to 70 days.
A carpenter ant colony can reach several thousand workers.
Feeding And Foraging Habits Ants forage at night, from just before sunset to two hours after sunset.
They have loose, not very well defined trails.
The ants are found feeding on sweets such as honey dew on shrubbery, and nectar from flowers.
These ants will also eat live and dead insects when young ants are being reared in the colonies nest.
How to get rid of carpenter ants Direct treatment or removal of the nest is recommended.
However, finding the nest site can be very difficult.
Sealing gaps in your house's exterior, removing tree stumps, wood piles and a chemical treatment will provide effective control of your ant problems.
To find a nest inside your house, follow foraging ants in the evening hours as these ants will lead to the nest.
When the nest is found, treat it with a labeled insecticide for carpenter ants.
Insect baits are also available and should be placed according to the products label, where they are foraging for food.
With the combination of a bait application, nest removal or chemical treatment and excluding openings outside your house you will be able get rid of carpenter ants like a professional.
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