Carpenter Ants
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Author: T. Taylor In some parts of the Country or the World, at least here in Texas, the carpenter ants are beginning to swarm. Some homeowners are having fits with ants crawling all over and inside of the homes.
In my part of the Country carpenter ants start swarming about the last two weeks of February on those warm late winter days. They will continue to swarm throughout the spring and summer months at different times. The Carpenter ant swarmers that you might see, have wings and will enter your home through doors, windows and other small cracks and crevices. It's really no cause for alarm unless you have been seeing sawdust shavings on windows sills and other areas throughout your home.
Dead carpenter ants on window sills does not necessarily mean you have an infestation. Don't panic. Having trees close to your home can cause these ants to enter looking for food and water and after all it's their mating season. A good spraying around the outside of your home can cut down on the carpenter ant. Spray along foundations, eve's, overhangs and windows. Look for carpenter ants crawling around windows and doors. The best time to see the carpenter ant active is in the early morning and late evening hours.
There are several different species of the carpenter ant. Some being completely black in color. Carpenter ants don't sting or bite but they do have rather large mandibles for clearing and creating cavities in wood. Carpenter ants will and can establish nests in a number of places including your home, however these nests in your home are usually satellite nests where no egg laying queen is present. Usually the main nest is located outside in hollow logs, trees and other wood areas. They can be found nesting in baseboards, hollow doors and others areas in your home.
Carpenter ants excavate nest galleries in wood. These galleries somewhat resemble the work of termites but can be distinguished by their entirely clean and almost sand papered appearance. Carpenter ants do not use wood for food and termites do. Foraging ants will travel 100 yards or more from the nest for food, and they may wander throughout your house. Workers can lay down trail pheromones.
Carpenter ants can do damage by contaminating food and can weaken a structure, although not nearly as seriously as termites.
The author of this article has been in the pest control industry for the last 13 years and has treated many homes for carpenter ants and other insects and pests. By visiting his web site and subscribing to his newsletter you will receive a free Insect Identification Guide. http://www.infobreaks.com
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