Ants

Why Carpenter Ants Are in Your House

During the spring and summer months, most species of carpenter ants create swarms. Carpenter ants are smaller than termites, and their bodies are usually black or red. They are generally dormant during the winter months. But warm days can awaken them.

Carpenter ants may invade your home through moist or damaged wood. They will hollow out the wood and create a nest. The nest may be on the outside or inside of your home. The nest may be under insulation in your attic, in a water-damaged wood, or in a hollow veneer door.

Carpenter ants may forage for pollen and nectar. They may also forage for honeydew that has been shed by insects.

If you have a carpenter ant infestation, it is best to contact a pest control specialist. This will help you identify the extent of the infestation and suggest the best treatments. A pest control professional can also recommend the right products for the job.

To help with carpenter ant control, you should remove all moist wood from your home. This includes dead stumps and leaky pipes. You should also keep firewood away from your house.

Carpenter ants usually have multiple nests. A parent colony includes a queen and workers. If there is not enough space in the parent colony, workers will create a satellite colony. The satellite colony is made up of older larvae, workers, and pupae.

Carpenter ants are not active during the day. However, they are active at night. They forage for food and water. You may hear rustling sounds in the walls.