Problem Solver Animal Marquee

Problem:
Carpenter ants

Image of Carpenter ants

Problem Info

Black or reddish-black, sometimes winged ants up to 1/2-inch long are seen around the home. Piles of sawdust may be found in the basement or attic, under porches, or near supporting girders or joists. Slitlike holes are often present in woodwork. On warm spring days, swarms of winged ants may cluster around windows. Unlike termites, which have thick waists, these pests have narrow, constricted waists.

Analysis

Camponotus species Many closely related species of these wood-damaging ants are found throughout the United States. Carpenter ants bore into moist, decaying wood, forming extensive galleries in which they make nests. They do not eat their sawdustlike wood borings but feed on other insects, plant sap, pollen, and seeds. When ant colonies grow too large, part of the colony migrates, often invading nearby homes through windows and other similar entry points. They either colonize undisturbed hollow spaces such as walls or bore into structural timbers, ceilings, and floor areas. They require damp and rotted wood. In addition to weakening wood, carpenter ants may infest pantries, and they can inflict painful bites.

Solution Advice

Remove nearby logs, stumps, and woodpiles. Seal openings in the foundation, windows, and other access areas into the home. Inspect the home for any rotting wood and replace it.

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