Carpenter Ants Pest Control

Every critter has their own story.

The secret of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a proven, cost-eﬀective strategy to combat pest problems without unnecessary pesticide use, is to understand the life-cycle of the pest that is pestering.

What do carpenter ants look like and why are they concerning?

Carpenter ants are members of the genus Camponotus. They have heart-shaped heads with strong mandibles and a rounded thorax. Adults grow to be between 5/8 of an inch and ½ of an inch long, and queens can be up to 1 inch long. After a colony has matured, which takes about two years, winged carpenter ants will appear.

Where do carpenter ants live?

Carpenter Ants build their nests inside wood. They carve out galleries, which are areas they chewed out with their mandibles, and they prefer dead damp wood. They hollow out sections of trees and are known to infest wooden buildings and structures.

Why do I have a carpenter ant problem?

While they usually nest outside, carpenter ants are often attracted to houses and other buildings due to the fact that they provide easy access to food and shelter. They can enter through any open spaces, such as those around windows and doors.

When are carpenter ants active?

On the Eastern side of the United States, carpenter ants are most active between May and August. Unlike many other insects, carpenter ants do not die during the winter. Instead, the colonies become dormant when colder temperatures arrive. If their nests are warm enough, however, colonies will not remain dormant.

Carpenter ant chewing wood on a wooden surface.

What’s the best way to prevent a carpenter ant infestation?

In order to prevent carpenter ants from entering a home or business, all cracks and crevices that may lead inside should be sealed and all decayed or water damaged wood should be replaced. You can avoid having water damaged wood by ensuring that all gutters are properly directing water away from the building, and by fixing leaky faucets, both indoors and outdoors.