| Do you have carpenter ants? |
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In their natural surroundings, carpenter ants are beneficial insects.
Excavation of galleries in wood, has earned them their name. They are beneficial since they feed on many pests. They are the largest of our common ants. In late spring and early summer, mature carpenter ant colonies produce winged adults. These swarm in mating flights, and may be a nuisance around homes at these times. Outdoors, they nest in any wood that is in close contact to a moisture source, for example, stumps, landscape ties and wooden fence posts. In buildings, they often make their nests in hollow doors, in wood cabinets near dishwashers, in damp locations beind baseboards, fireplaces, window frames and in basement and attics. Carpenter ants will rarely do extensive damage to wood. They usually limit the size of the colony to the area of the damp wood. Several so called satellite colonies may, however be constructed in the same structure. Carpenter ants may be seen in infested buildings at any time of the year searching for food at considerable distances from their nest. In some colonies a dormancy period occurs for several weeks during the winter months. Although they chew their way through wood, leaving frass particles resembling sawdust, they do not eat wood. Instead they feed on a wide range of insects, plant materials and, occasionally, on household foodstuffs. Carpenter ants are social insects, living in colonies. Within the colony winged reproductives are not produced until the colony is established, which takes about two to three years. After mating the winged reproductives leave the colony to establish new ones. Once established, an average colony contains 2,000 to 3,000 carpenter ants. They are hazardous to humans. Since carpenter ants are attracted to foods such as honey, jelly, fruit and meat, they can carry disease germs from one area to another. Although they do not sting, they can inflict bites. The elimination of moist conditions by providing good ventilation and isolating wood from any direct contact with the soil will aid in carpenter ant prevention. Foods should be kept in sealed containers and areas where food is stored kept free of spillage or crumbs. Eliminate old lumber, logs and stumps from your property and do not store firewood inside the building. In the case of new construction only properly treated lumber should be used. For more information please visit the carpenter ants page and the Do It Yourself Insect page. If you have an questions or concerns about carpenter ant treatment please call: RELIABLE EXTERMINATORS LIMITED |
