When most people say “oh I have ants too, they are just ants no big deal”, this could be the furthest from the truth. In the North East region Carpenter Ants are the most prevalent ant and are what people consider the “common ant”.

Carpenter ants are a large black ant with a dark brown to black abdomen. They are usually ¼” – ½” in size and are easily identified by their 90 degree bent antennae.

Signs of these Large Black Ants indoors in early Spring (March/April) can usually mean that a nest or colony is established within your home. Carpenter ants require moisture and warmth to survive and most likely end up in a wet area of your home. Lots of times a home owner has no idea of the moisture problem until the Carpenter Ants make that evident.

Areas of concern are windows/doors, sky lights, chimney/fireplace, deck ledgers boards, bathroom sub-floors under toilets and tubs, or any area that shows signs of constant moisture. Look for signs of moister; peeling paint, water stains, mold, mildew, rotted wood, cracked tile/grout or actual signs of water. Carpenter Ants do not need it to be a flood, a 17%-19% moisture level is perfect, which could never show itself as a true leak, just more of seepage problem.

Evidence of live ants in the kitchen or living room in early Spring will most likely be foraging Carpenter Ants looking for food to get the energy they need to get the colony up and running for the season and continue with egg laying.

Contrary to popular belief, Carpenter Ants don’t “EAT” wood, they only excavate it for nesting. Carpenter Ants eat what we eat, carbohydrates, sugars and proteins, most of which will come from dead insects, even their own dead. But they will be more than happy to travel to your dishwasher, sink or garbage pail to find what they need. Carpenter Ants will travel up to 300 feet from a nesting site for a food source, so the possibilities of nest locations are endless. Carpenter Ants have the ability to have multiple nesting sites (satellite colonies) within one structure.

If Carpenter Ants are nesting inside your home, the likelihood of  structural damage is very high, although they don’t eat the wood, they will excavate looking to create a hollow space to grow their colony. Although a hollow wall void would suffice, more often than not the moisture content they require only exists in areas of structural wood members being sandwiched together ie: plywood sub floors, window & door headers, deck ledger boards, sill plates, etc.

Signs of Carpenter Ants should be taken seriously and a professional contacted to evaluate and aid in the control process. This is often a difficult process and sometimes on-going treatments or procedures are needed.

All County can perform a Home/Pest Evaluation if you have any further questions or concerns about your home and how it relates to Carpenter Ant control. Our Home Protection Plan is the best pest protection for you, your family and your home.