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How to Handle Carpenter Ants in Your Home
Are those carpenter ants? And if so, should I
be worried?
Carpenter ants get their name from the fact that they excavate wood to build their nests. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They create smooth tunnels called “galleries” where they live, which can damage the wood in your home.
Do all carpenter ants look alike?
No. There are over a thousand species of carpenter ants worldwide – 24 in the United States alone and their size and color vary among species. Even ants within the same colony can vary in appearance.
How can I tell the difference between a carpenter ant and a termite?
Carpenter ants are among the largest ants in North America, ranging in length from 1/8- to 1/2-inch. They come in black, red, brown, yellow, orange or a red-and-black two-tone. When winged male and female carpenter ants fly away from the colony to mate they often are mistaken for swarming termites.
The best way to distinguish a carpenter ant from a termite is to look at the antennae, the waist and the wings. A termite has straight antennae; their waist is thick and both pairs of their wings are similar in size. The antennae of the carpenter ants are elbowed, they have a pinched waist and their front pair of wings is longer than the back pair.
How can I get rid of them?
Carpenter ants prefer moisture and decaying wood around windowsills, decks, porches and eaves. Eliminate sources of moisture by trimming tree branches and plants away from your house. Seal all exterior cracks and openings and don’t stack firewood near your home.
Do not spray carpenter ants with insecticide when you see them. This only kills the exposed worker ants and can possibly encourage increased egg laying and more colonies. It’s better to contact a licensed pest control professional who knows how to find the colonies and who has the proper bait to eradicate them.
While they’re not as bad as termites, you still wouldn’t want them as houseguests.
