carpenter ants chapter 4 section ii – general pest control basics of the pest bear &...

Carpenter Ants

Chapter 4

Section II – General Pest Control Basics

of the

Pest Bear & AffiliatesService Personnel Development Program

2005

Copyright @ 2005-2006, Central Fla Duplicating, Inc. All rights reserved

General Information

Carpenter ants are members of the Camponotus group

They are very conspicuous because of their size

They are commonly found in and around homes

They are blackish or dark-bodied


Carpenter Ant workers

Workers have large mandibles and can bite or pinch if disturbed

Workers vary in size from 1/4 to 3/4 of an, depending on the species

Workers are generally black or reddish color with a distinctly black abdomen

They are very abundant and very common in the Eastern United States


Carpenter Ant Galleries

They excavate galleries in the wood

Their galleries resemble subterranean termite damage, but lack the characteristic mud.

Carpenter ant galleries are completely clean and free of debris

The galleries appear to be sanded or polished


Carpenter Ant Galleries

Carpenter ant galleries are commonly found in decaying or damaged wood

Carpenter ants can attack sound wood but only to make their galleries

Carpenter ants do not use the wood for food and only create galleries for shelter and nesting

Carpenter ants will establish nest is a number of different locations


Carpenter Ant Nests

Outdoor nests are common is power poles, fence posts and hollow logs

Many species prefer wood that is moist and partially decayed

Nests are commonly found in cracks or crevices in sound wood

Nests usually consist of an internal gallery with multiple entrances

Firewood is a very common site for carpenter ant nests and is primary source in infestations found inside homes


Finding a Carpenter Ant Nest

Foraging carpenter ants may be entering structures only to feed or find water

Tree limbs, shrubs and wires which touch the structure can serve as avenues for the ants to follow when foraging

Interior nests are commonly found in fireplaces, around patio structures and in basements

Foraging workers are not a definite indication that a carpenter ant colony is in a structure


Carpenter Ants InsideCarpenter ants can be found literally anywhere in a

structure:Hollow walls, window and door casingsIn substructures of porches or roofsBehind baseboardsUnder insulation

Or

just a hollow pipe with several hundred ants inside

Finding the nest is crucial to controlling the population


Carpenter Ant GalleriesCarpenter ants hollow out the wood and remove the softer

wood, following the grain

Harder wood is retained and forms walls and support for the galleries

Openings are made at intervals to allow for passage between the galleries

External access is usually through natural openings in the wood

Sometimes carpenter ants will make external openings called “windows”


Carpenter Ants as Housekeepers

Carpenter ants are very clean

Carpenter ants remove the shredded wood created when making galleries and caste skins

Debris is stored in hollow areas or forced from the nest through windows

Conical piles of debris often aid in locating nests

If piles of sawdust or debris is observed while making a termite inspection, the inspector should be alerted to the possibility of a carpenter ant infestation


Carpenter Ants Swarm

Mature reproductive carpenter ants swarm primarily in the spring

In a mature nest, there will be several sizes of adults

There is usually only one egg-laying queen in each colony

A colony matures in about six years

A mature colony usually contains 2,000-3,000 individuals

A swarm will usually include 200-300 reproductives

Alates may be produced anytime, but are most common in late spring to early summer


What do Carpenter Ants Eat

Carpenter ants have a very varied diet

They eat both plant and animal matter

They feed on other insects, both living and dead and will eat anything humans will eat

Foraging carpenter ants have been known to forage over 100 yards to find food

They lay down a pheromone trail but are not strict trail followers

They carry food back or retain it in their crop and regurgitate it the nest


Carpenter Ant Damage

Carpenter ants do not normally cause serious structural damage

They usually enhance the damage caused by water or fungi rather than creating the damage by attacking sound wood

Multiple nests can cause serious damage and all nests are considered nuisance pests


Carpenter Ant Control

Effective carpenter ant control depends largely on finding and eliminating colony at its source

Elimination of colonies outside the structure may be required to prevent carpenter ants from entering the structure

A THOROUGH Inspection is required before control procedures can be initiated - the nest must be located

Once the nest is located, direct treatment will eliminate that particular problem

Multiple nests are not uncommon and a complete inspection is mandatory for good control


The Steps for a Good Carpenter Ant Inspection

Interview with the residents

Thoroughly insect the indoors

Thoroughly inspect the outdoors

Use sound detection to accurately locate the nest


Interview the ResidentsWhere have the ants been seen

What is the most prevalent pattern of movement

Did the ants have wings

Were the ants observed during the day or night

Have conical piles of sawdust and debris been observed

Have there been moisture problems


Check indoors

Look for piles of debris or sawdust

Check for “windows” created by the ants

Search for foraging workers

Look for swarmers

Check for damaged timbers


Check Outdoors

Thoroughly inspect the exterior of the structure

Look for limbs etc which may be in contact with the structure

Inspect firewood and crotches of adjacent trees

Inspect any hollow areas including patio furniture etc


Sounding for Carpenter Ants

Using a stethoscope you can actually hear the ants in the colony

This is very helpful around window and door jams

What you hear is the mandibles of the workers “clicking” and this is a form of communications not feeding sounds

Tapping over a nest will increase the activity within the nest


carpenter ants chapter 4 section ii – general pest control basics of the pest bear &...

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