Carpenter ants can be a serious threat to homes and business places. These ants bite through wooden materials leaving it useless and damaged.
That’s why you should get rid of them before they infest the home.
Here’s everything you need to know about carpenter ants.
Carpenter Ants – An Overview
Carpenter ants are the largest colony of ants in the world.
They burrow on woods and wooden surfaces like roofs, homes, trees, cabinets, etc.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood, they only chew them enough to create dust on their surface.
These ants have sweet teeth. They feast on sugar-rich diets such as fruits, juices, and nectar.
Outdoors, carpenter ants are predators and they can feed on smaller insects.
While termite are known to destroy wood, carpenter ants also have the same habit of chewing away and removing wood, especially when working to build their colonies.
In Canada, ants thrive better during the onset of winter months. Their colonies survive more in snow and cold. This is a very difficult time to get rid of these ants.
When you notice one or two carpenter ants, it could be a potential sign of infestation waiting to befall your home. You should find ways to get rid of them and prevent further infestation.
This ant’s species has a superior excavation skill. This makes it difficult to eliminate them once they find their way into a wooden structure.
Homeowners need the attention of a professional ant exterminator to discover the hideouts of these ants and eliminate them.
Risks Of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants don’t spread diseases or viruses but they can damage your home.
While most people try to avoid carpenter ants’ bite, the real danger is when they attack woods in homes and offices. In fact, they can cause structural damage if not attended to.
Carpenter ants are more active during spring.
They can return to the particular spot where you got rid of them even after a year which is why they’re difficult to exterminate.
Get in touch with a professional ant exterminator when you notice a sign of an ant infestation.
Don’t allow these wood excavators to destroy your property.
How Do You Identify Carpenter Ants
The black carpenter is the most common type of carpenter ant in Canada.
They’re black or dark brown with a length range of between ¼” to ½”.
This ant’s body is segmented into three. The head has a bent pair of antennas. A thorax separated from the abdomen by a single node (petiole). The abdomen has a bulbous shape with long hairs.
If you notice a big, black ant in your home, that’s probably a carpenter ant.
Carpenter ants have strong jaws (mandibles) but they rarely bite humans. Instead, they chew wood with their jaw.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Hang Around?
Carpenter ants are active throughout the year and they thrive better near woods especially in ancient homes.
You can also spot carpenter ants in the following places:
Open areas in woodwork like window or door frames – carpenter ants don’t eat wood, they only chew through them. You’ll always see a trail of dust on the wood they attack.
Their major culprit is damp wood. If you live in a moisture prone area, carpenter ants will easily make their way in because these types of wood are easy to navigate.
Leaked door frames, sinks, and bathtubs are all areas invaded by carpenter ants. Other areas where these ants thrive and multiply (lay up eggs) are tree logs, stumps, and wood piles.
Because of the sweet tooth nature of the carpenter ants, they lurk around open jars of jam or spilt juice and leftovers on the floor.
Carpenter ants also prefer moist environments where they can access water for survival.
