How to Identify and Eliminate Carpenter Ants
Unlike other ants, the carpenter ant builds their nests by tunneling into wooden building structures. And while these ants usually only prefer damp and rotting wood to tunnel, having it a part of your home can become a big problem.
Carpenter ants are larger than most ants and can grow up to 5 inches long in colors ranging from black, red, brown, yellow, orange or red depending on the species.
These ants are common among residents in the spring, so it is not always easy to determine if they are just looking for shelter or building nests. If you are concerned about whether they are building a nest in your home, or if they're just visiting, you'll want to do some research to determine if you have a carpenter ant problem.
One of the most effective ways to determine if these ants have invaded your home is to note whether you saw them indoors in winter or spring. If you see them in your home, then most likely they have a colony inside.
Ant colonies are formed when the female queen lays her eggs in a gap in the forest. She stays with her offspring and feeds the saliva collected by her workers. Workers also have a responsibility to expand the home and take care of young people at all stages.
Natural control of carpenter ants is as simple as preventing excessive moisture accumulation in the wood of your home structure.
You will want to repair any existing damage to prevent ants from nesting inside your home.
Consider removing or repairing damaged trees and wood piles in your garden to eliminate possible infestations.
Also cut any tree branches that touch your home.
If you use firewood, be sure to check the ants carefully before bringing the wood into your home. Store your firewood away from the ground and your home to limit the risk of insects nesting.
