Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species in the US, reaching up to half an inch in length. In terms of coloration, you will mostly find black carpenter ants, but there are some species that will have reddish or yellow hue, with some species exhibiting both black and red colors. One other distinctive feature of this species is their large mandibles which can be noticeable on closer inspection. But why is this species important? Like termites, carpenter ants destroy wood, and they can cause thousands of dollars of damage to a building.
Signs of a carpenter ant infestation
There are several signs that you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation. First, if you notice larger than usual ants scurrying around your kitchen, it’s time to start worrying. You then want to start looking for other signs. As carpenter ants tunnel through wood, they will create debris around exit holes in the wood. Take a look at the wooden structures of the home, and look for debris and parts of dead ants near their base. The second sign that a piece of wood is infested is a rustling sound coming from within the wood. Press your ear against a piece of wood that you think is infested and see if you can hear the ants digging around.
How did the infestation start
Carpenter ants are like any other ant species out there – they’re always on the lookout for food and moisture. If they can find food in your home, they may set up a colony in one of the wooden structures inside the building, especially if the wood is damp or decaying, and then start foraging inside the home. However, just because you see carpenter ants inside the home does not mean that you have an infestation. They may be nesting inside of wood that is somewhere else on your property.
Getting rid of carpenter ants
Carpenter infestations can get very serious. One colony will soon turn into several and before you know it, you will have to deal with thousands of dollars in structural repairs. If you see larger than average ants in your home, you should get in touch with a pest control pro, who can perform an inspection and determine the species behind the infestation. Contact us today if you have a carpenter ant infestation and you would like to remove it from your home.