Size: Up to 5/8 of an inch long
Color: Black, red and black, red, or brown
Activity/Behavior: Carpenter ants commonly make tunnels in rotting or sound trees. Inside, they readily infest wood, foam insulation, and cavities. They prefer to hollow out wood damaged by fungus. Worker ants hollow out a nest, look for food, and care for the young. Carpenter ants feed on sugar solutions from honey dew-producing insects such as aphids, sweets, and the juices of the insects they capture. They actively feed at night.
Where They Live: Carpenter ants will nest in any hollow area or space that is close to water and food resources. They enter structures through gaps or cracks. However, the appearance of large numbers of winged adults inside a structure indicates that the nest(s) exists indoors. The workers push wood shavings and pieces of foam insulation out of the nest through slit-like openings in the surface of the wood or other nesting site material. This material, which may contain fragments of other insects, and structural moisture problems, are things to look for when trying to locate a colony in an infested structure. Rustling sounds in wall voids are another indication that there is a colony in the area.
Tips for Control: Keep bushes and shrubs trimmed back off of the home. Seal cracks in the home’s exterior. Eliminate nesting sites like tree stumps, piles of wood, and other debris. Repair leaks in the home and keep water away from the home’s foundation.
How Suburban Exterminating Can Help: These ants are hard to control and may not eat ant baits. Experts must find the many colonies and treat them directly. Colonies can be located high in trees or on a neighboring property. A large number of trees and other conditions may create a high risk of re-infestation. Regular inspections and service are necessary to find and treat new colonies as they move in from neighboring properties. An infestation sometimes can be controlled using over-the-counter products, but surviving ants can start a new colony. A trained pest control professional can help you get rid of ants.
Suburban Exterminating follows a strict set of guidelines to ensure your health and safety. We use only products which are registered with the EPA. Our technicians are registered and licensed with NY State. Our technicians participate in a continuing education program.
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We specialize in Carpenter Ants extermination, contact us now for a free estimate