Carpenter Ants

The carpenter ants is larger than the tiny ant and smaller than the bullet ant and giant Amazonian ants. With around 12,000 species of ant, identifying the carpenter ant would seem rather difficult. Each ant species has unique features, including size, color, origin, and nesting habits.

The carpenter ant grows up to ½ inches in length. Of all members of the colony, the queen is the largest at around 5/8 inches in length. The worker grows around 1/4 inch in length while the soldier is around ½ inch long. This is the best way to differentiate between all members of the colony.

Like all ant species, the carpenter ant has a tri-segmented body- head, thorax, and gaster (stomach or abdomen). If you want to delve a little deeper into the carpenter ant’s body, you will see it has a petiole, which joins each part of the body together.

Carpenter ants have strong mandibles utilized to gnaw through decaying wood and other organic material. The worker carpenter ant performs the most strenuous duties for the colony. Building nests and tunnels are just two examples. Worker carpenter ants are some of the most hardworking insect species. They also supply the colony with food. When you think about it, their job is never done as they work around the clock.

Unlike most overwintering pests, the carpenter ant works during the winter season. The only difference in the summer, fall, and spring, the winter work is reduced to a minimum.

How To Determine If Your Property Is Infested With Carpenter Ants?

The most obvious sign of a carpenter ant infestation is live workers. The next obvious sign is “frass,” a scientific term utilized to describe the sawdust trails left behind by carpenter ant workers. Frass is an obvious sign that workers have been in a specific area.

Flying drones are another sign of a potential infestation. However, this could also be a sign of mating. Drones fly away from their colonies in search of a mate.

A not-so-obvious sign of an infestation is a rustling sound inside walls or other structures. Most people would not think to listen for carpenter ants. Besides, the rustling sound may not be audible all the time.

Why Are Carpenter Ants Infesting My Kitchen?

Carpenter ant workers are known to travel around 100 yards from their colonies in search of food. As an omnivore, the diet consists of plants and animals. Workers do not generally venture far away from their colonies when food is accessible nearby. As the colony begins to grow, the workers are oftentimes forced to venture further and further from their colonies. At this point, they may find themselves inside your home.

Carpenter ants do not just target homes that are not so sanitary. They target all homes with a morsel or crumb of food lying around on the countertop, floor, dining table, stovetop, or kitchen sink.

Carpenter ants utilize their antennas to locate food. The antenna is a very powerful tool as it has the ability to detect a food source over 10.5 feet away.

If signs of carpenter ants are detected in your kitchen, you can guarantee there is a food source lying around somewhere. Do not forget, that the insect is drawn to food in garbage cans, food composters, and food processors.

Do Carpenter Ants Spread Disease?

Carpenter ants are not known to carry disease. However, they can carry contaminants on their bodies when traveling from place to place. If you discover a food package has been tampered with, it is best to dispose of it. Carpenter ants utilize their mandibles to know through thin plastic and corrugated cardboard food packaging.

Does DIY Carpenter Ant Treatment Work?

There are several factors that determine the effectiveness of a do-it-yourself carpenter ant treatment. It is possible to eradicate carpenter ants infesting your kitchen with an effective treatment strategy. It is important to note, even professional carpenter ant treatment will not work as long as there is an accessible food source. The food source must be eliminated to deter new carpenter ants from coming to your home.

Over-the-counter ant treatments are less likely to be effective for a full-blown carpenter ant infestation.

How Long Will It Take For A Carpenter Ant Expert To Arrive At My Home?

Our customer support operates efficiently to reduce unnecessary service request processing delays. In the peak season, it can take up to 72 hours to process your service request.

We offer same-day and emergency services as well.

Does Carpenter Ant Treatment Make Humans Sick?

It can when improperly administered. Our pest control experts have years of experience in the industry. We require all our technicians and exterminators to complete annual and random safety training courses. We heed the US Environmental Protection Agency “EPA” regulations to protect the environment and our workers and customers when administering pesticides and other pest management treatments.

How To Stop Carpenter Ants From Visiting My Home?

Eliminate the food source. Make a habit of thoroughly cleaning the kitchen and dining room after each meal. Do not eat in living rooms or bedrooms. Keeping everything contained to a specific area of your home will eliminate the odds of a future carpenter ant infestation.

Carpenter ants are not the only insect species drawn to human food. The cockroach, mouse, rat, and beetle are just a few examples.

Store food in plastic or glass containers with lids. Never leave food on countertops or dining tables for more than 15 minutes without supervision.

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