Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in the United
States, ranging from 3.4 to 13 mm long. The most common color is black, but
some species have reddish or yellowish coloration. Workers have large mandibles. Carpenter ants are not that picky they live
both outdoors and indoors mostly in hollow wood. They form their nests in the
wood to provide passageways for movement from section to section of the nest.
This activity produces wood shavings mixed with parts of dead ants which
provides clues to nesting locations.
Carpenter ants are NOT termites. They do not feed off of wood, but rather eat
people food that falls to the ground and they even feed off other insects! Queen lays 9 to 16 eggs the first year and
may live up to 25 years. Eggs complete their life cycle in about 6 to 12
weeks. In addition to noticing wood
shavings the final sign may be the “rustling” sound sometimes heard as the ants
go about their activity in the home’s wood.
In controlling an infestation of carpenter ants, it is
necessary to first find the nest. Once found, it can be removed or treated
chemically. All moisture conditions that the ants found conducive must be
corrected. If treated early, carpenter
ants are seldom responsible for serious structural damage to houses and
buildings. Do not wait for ants to gain
a foothold in your home this year.
Contact A Complete Pest Solution serving Chicago’s western suburbs at
(630) 464-1542. There is only one type
of “ant” that you want visiting this year and that’s your mother or father’s
sister!
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