Unlike other ants, the carpenter ant builds their nests by tunneling into wooden building structures. And while these ants usually only prefer damp and decaying wood to tunnel in, it can become a big problem if it happens to be a part of your home.
Carpenter ants are larger than most ants and can grow up to ¾ inches long with colors ranging from black, red, brown, yellow, orange, or red, depending on the species.
These ants are common inside dwellers during the springtime, so determining whether or not they are simply seeking shelter or building a nest isn't always easy. If you have a concern about whether they have built a nest in your home or they're just visiting, you will want to do a little investigating to determine if you have a carpenter ant problem.
One of the most effective ways to determine if these ants are invading your home is by noting whether you see them inside in the winter or spring. If you see them in your home, then chances are, they have a colony inside.
Ant colonies are made when a female queen lays her eggs in a cavity in the wood. She stays with her young, feeding them salivary secretions that her workers have gathered. Workers also have the responsibility of enlarging the nest and tending to the young in all stages.
Natural control of carpenter ants is as simple as preventing excess moisture accumulation in the wood of your home's structure.
You will want to repair any existing damage to keep ants from nesting inside of your home.
Consider removing or repairing any damaged trees and woodpiles in your yard to eliminate potential invasions.
Trim any tree branches that are touching your home, as well.
If you use firewood, be sure to check it carefully for ants before bringing the wood inside of your home. To limit the risk of insects nesting, store your firewood off of the ground and away from your home.
