Carpenter ants are one of the most common household pests in Massachusetts. Although ants can remain active even through winter, it’s usually a pretty good indicator of springtime when our office starts receiving phone calls about large black ants.
What Are Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects that create large networks of tunnels and galleries for nesting. While there are about one thousand species of carpenter ant worldwide, the black carpenter ant is the invader we see here in the northeast region of the United States. They are larger than most other ants, around 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch in length. Befitting their name, black carpenter ants are usually black in color but can also be red, brown, or a combination of these colors.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
Carpenter ants get their name from their propensity for building nests in wood; they will tunnel into a variety of materials such as stumps, fence posts, logs, and firewood. While carpenter ants may prefer damp, decaying, or damaged wood, they sometimes move on to tunneling into dry wood.
Why Do They Come Inside?
Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants do not eat the wood they excavate (like termites do); they are simply building tunnels and nests for the colony. A carpenter ant diet in the wild consists of proteins such as other insects, and sugars from fruit and plant juices, including insect honeydew, a liquid produced by aphids and other insects. Carpenter ants can be attracted to your home by sources of protein and sweets, from pet food to grease and food debris in trash or sinks, to fruits and juices or sugary snacks. Add to that any source of moisture or damp and damaged wood, you've got a perfect storm of ideal carpenter ant conditions.
How Can I Get Rid of Them?
There are some simple measures you can take to make your home less appealing to carpenter ants (and check out our free 2021 Spring Pest Guide for more tips and information!):
- Limit moisture
- Keep food (including pet food) sealed and cabinets clear of food debris
- Keep counters, tables, floors, and other surfaces clean
- Ensure that windows and doors close securely and screens are intact
- Seal garbage cans
While these DIY methods can assist in carpenter ant prevention, there is also a science to eliminating colonies. Because these ants can be very destructive, it is best to call in a professional to determine exactly what is drawing these insects to your home and what is keeping them there. At Burgess Pest Management, our technicians are trained to inspect for conducive conditions and implement the most effective treatment methods with the latest in technology.
Best of all, an estimate is always free, so let us take over before the ants have a chance to.
