Carpenter Ants Control

Carpenter Ant Prevention and Control By Melissa Hamel

As one of the largest ants found in Maryland, carpenter ants range in length from a quarter of an inch to half an inch long for workers and up to three quarters of an inch long for the reproductive members. They vary in color but are mostly black or darker looking. Living in colonies that contain one queen and several thousand workers, these wood destroying insects are considered highly organized and very social. They work together for a common purpose; the survival of their colony. They will eat most anything and are attracted to people food that is sweet or that contains fats and proteins. They also consume other insects, dead or alive. A common belief about this pest is that they consume wood like termites when in fact they only excavate wood for nesting purposes.

Carpenter ants tend to prefer areas that are damp and tend to establish primary colonies in these areas. Their main colony must have a constant source of moisture to survive and is generally an underground nest that is comprised of chambers and interconnecting tunnels where food is stored, eggs are laid and nurseries are maintained. Other likely places to find primary or main carpenter ant colonies are in dead wood outside. This includes tree stumps and tree limbs. Inside homes areas that have excessive moisture provide ideal conditions for a primary colony. Leaking pipes, poorly ventilated rooms and water damaged wood are excellent examples of where you can find an established ant colony indoors. Satellite colonies are made up of active workers that are responsible for most of the carpenter ant activity inside a dwelling. They are often located inside wall voids, in attics and insulation and may even be found in hollow doors.

Identifying a carpenter ant problem is sometimes as easy as spotting foraging ants inside your home. Other indications of activity include winged carpenter ants emerging from within your home, damaged wood and the appearance of “frass”. These wood destroying ants are most active at night and that is generally the best time to find their nest. Winged carpenter ants are the reproductive members of the colony and their emergence is for the purpose of starting new colonies. This is also a sure sign that activity is already present. Carpenter ant excavating leaves behind smooth and clean tunnels or galleries in the wood they are working and is most likely to be found in wood that is damp or rotting as it is easier for their purposes. They will, however, tunnel in dry timber as well. Resembling sawdust or pencil shavings, “frass” is the wood material that these ants create when they are working in wood. Since they don’t eat wood they must push it out of their way. Piles of “frass” are often found where carpenter ants are entering a structure.

You can discourage activity by sealing or painting any exposed wood, replacing rotten wood with new materials, keeping kitchen and food areas clean and clear of food debris, fixing any areas that are experiencing water leakages, properly ventilating areas that tend to be humid and storing firewood in a dry location several feet from your home. Also keeping only what you need for a season on hand is a recommended.

Because of their ability to cause extensive damage to a structure, carpenter ant are considered a nuisance and damaging pest and problems should be addressed immediately. Though they are an extremely common pest problem occurring in Maryland they are hard to get rid of completely. That is because there are thousands of ants in a single colony and there may be several colonies inhabiting a structure and its surrounding property. Ant cups and products that are for consumer use oftentimes only kill the foraging ants and will not eliminate the entire colony. The best way to ensure that an entire home and property is free of these destructive pests is to consult a professional pest control company. Pest control technicians are trained at locating nesting sites inside and out and will implement a control plan that resolves the entire problem. They may also point out problem areas around a structure that, if left unaddressed, may attract new colonies.

Do not underestimate the serious threat carpenter ants may pose to your home. Without proper treatment and preventative measures in place you could have activity that results in severe deficiencies in your structure and costly repair bills for repair and restoration of your home.

If you are a homeowner in Maryland, Northern Virginia or the D.C. area and would like o learn more about carpenter ant prevention and control methods please visit http://www.americanpest.netArticle Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Melissa_Hamel

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