© 2008  Humphreyspestnj.com

Points of Entry

Clogged drains and gutters

Fencing next to home

Wiring entrances

Edges of fireplace brick

Window casings

Door frames

Vines and plants touching home

Edges of siding

Mulch around home

Crawl space vent

Plumbing

Wood in contact with soil

.

Carpenter Ants

Are typically large ants up to 5/8-inch long; color varies from black, brown & black, red and black, to light brown depending on the species. The two most common pest species are black in color.

Most common pest ant seen in homes throughout the northern United States from the east to west coast.

The main colony must have a constant source of moisture to survive so it is usually located in dead wood outside, e.g., dead limbs, tree holes, stumps, landscape timbers, etc. Indoors, a main colony will have to be associated with a water leak or an overly wet, poorly ventilated crawlspace or attic.

The main colony may establish satellite colonies that are the primary source of ant activity inside homes. These satellite colonies may be located in any suitable void, under attic insulation, etc. Colonies have even been found by Humphreys Insect  Control  professionals inside hollow doors, curtain rods, shower rods, and once inside an alarm clock!

These ants set up trunk trails between the main colony to satellite colonies and between satellite colonies. Foraging ants can most easily be seen along these trunk trails at night when the ants are most active. Sometimes, the trunk trails occur beneath the ground following tree roots.

Since carpenter ants may forage as far as 200 yards or further, the main colony may be located on a neighboring property.

Carpenter ants feed on a wide variety of foods, especially other insects. The favored food of adults is the sweet honeydew produced by plant-feeding insects, such as aphids, scales, and mealybugs.

In the spring, mature colonies produce winged reproductives, called swarmers, that fly out to start new colonies. These swarms often occur from satellite colonies within homes so a homeowner may see large flying ants in their home at night.

Carpenter ant queens are about 3/4-inch in length while the males are smaller at 1/2-inch. The color varies depending on the species.

Carpenter ants can be very difficult to control so most homeowners employee the services of a professional company like A Humphreys Insect  Control