What are Carpenter Ants?
by Travis
Carpenter Ants, also known as Camponotus, are large ants and are found all around the world. They get their name because they live in or around wood. They do not feed on wood, but they can still damage wooden structures because they hollow out the inside. Many consider these carpenter ants pests because they can be damaging to homes.
Carpenter ants are one of the largest of the ants. They can have wings, but not always. If a person notices winged carpenter ants, then this could indicate that a nest is nearby. Wingless ants or small clusters of ants could indicate that they are in search of food and the nest may not be nearby.
Carpenter ants tend to live in moist environment in wood. They hollow out the inside of their nest and leave traces of sawdust near the entrance of their nest. These ants can create satellite colonies near their main nest that are typically smaller.
Carpenter ants can damage a wooden structure and this can be bad news for a homeowner if signs of their presence exist. Knowing that carpenter ants live in moist environments means that a person can reduce their risk of being inhabited by controlling leaks and other sources of dampness. They should also try to eliminate the contact between soil and wood and keep trees and shrubbery around the house trimmed. Damaged or dead wood should be removed from near the house. Tree stumps can also provide an ideal environment for carpenter ants or termites.
If a person notices any carpenter ants on their property, a pest control professional should be notified immediately. The professional can detect the nest by following a hollow noise that results in tapping on the walls around the nest. Boric acid or other insecticide can kill these ants before removing the damaged wood. Baits are a useful tool for killing carpenter ants when nests are not easily located.
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