Carpenter ants are unwelcome guests that can cause significant damage to residential and commercial properties. They are among the most common insect pests in the United States. Their presence can be a source of distress to homeowners who catch a glimpse of them walking up walls or across the floor.
These pests get their name from their practice of nesting in wood, which can cause substantial structural damage over time. They typically find entrances through foundation cracks or small openings around windows and doors. For the most part, they shun daylight and are highly active at night.
Carpenter ants are usually black or reddish-black. They have distinct, elbowed antennae, and a single node or “waist” between the thorax and abdomen. Queens can be up to an inch long.
Florida carpenter ants look for compromised wood as nesting sites and can even lodge in expanded polystyrene foam. The indoor nests are often just satellites for the primary nest outdoors. Unlike termites, these ants don’t actually eat the wood they undermine with their nesting habits.
One effective means of preventing carpenter ant infestations is to keep the exterior of your home or building in good repair. Seal cracks or gaps in foundations or walls, and repair any moisture or humidity damage. It’s also important to keep your property free of wood piles, leaf litter and other debris that can attract them.
If you find these destructive insects on the premises, it’s important to contact a professional pest control service, such as Slug-A-Bug. We can help identify the source of the infestation and apply the effective, appropriate treatment to prevent additional damage.
Don’t leave a carpenter ant problem unchecked. Call (321) 259-7844 for a free, no-obligation assessment.
For more information:
http://npic.orst.edu/pest/carpenterant.html
https://extension.umn.edu/insects-infest-homes/carpenter-ants
https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1075
https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/2003/3-7-2003/firewood.html