Here are some helpful facts about carpenter ants:
Size: Up to 13 mm (One of the largest Ants in the US)
Color: Black but some have reddish or yellowish coloration
Wings: Yes
Diet: Sweets and meats or other insects.
Habitat: Reside in both living and dead trees, stumps and rotting wood. Prefer to live in wood that is subjected to moisture. Found inside and outside of homes.
Nest: Created by cutting galleries into the wood grain to provide the passage way to a nest. They push out the wood chips to provide a clean and neat nesting area.
Signs of infestation:
- Wood shaving or dead parts or insects.
- Winged ant activity.
- Rustling sound resulting from activity inside of the wood.
Control: Finding the nest, correcting the moisture condition of the wood, treating the nest with a pesticide.
*The most effective way to remove a carpenter ant colony is to call a professional.
If you would like more information on treatment options and carpenter ant control, please call 1-800-533-6330.