Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects that invade Worcester properties to create large networks of tunnels and nesting galleries for their colony to live in. While most ant species are fairly small in size, carpenter ants are very large. To determine whether or not the ants in your home are carpenter ants or another species, take their size into consideration. Most carpenter ants are ½ to ⅝ of an inch in length. There are about 1,000 species of carpenter ants throughout the world, but only one species plagues the United States: the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus. As their name suggests, black carpenter ants are often black in color, but they may also be red, brown, or a combination of these colors.
Where carpenter ants live
In nature, carpenter ants are beneficial to the environment. They aid in forest decomposition and are a source of prey for some animal species, such as the woodpecker. These small “carpenters” build their nests in forests all over the world, and though they are found throughout the United States, carpenter ants are most common in northern states. Carpenter ants build their nests in a wide variety of wooden materials, such as logs, stumps, old sheds, fence posts, or piles of firewood. Most carpenter ant species prefer to infest damp, moist, decaying, or previously damaged wood. However, once carpenter ants attack moist or hollowed wooden sources, they may begin to carve tunnels into dry, sound wood. Carpenter ants infest Worcester homes through cracks around windows, holes made for utilities, or any other small gaps along your foundation. But why do they want to invade in the first place?
Why carpenter ants invade
It’s a common misconception that carpenter ants eat the wood that they tunnel in, the way termites do. This is incorrect. Carpenter ants don’t eat the wood they infest. They just tunnel through it to build safe nests to raise their colonies. In nature, carpenter ants feed primarily on dead insects, fruit and plant juices, and insect honeydew, which is a sweet liquid produced by aphids and other bugs. However, carpenter ants are attracted to Worcester homes that provide sources of proteins and sweets, such as meat, pet food, eggs, grease, sugars, and other food items. A few good ways to avoid attracting carpenter ants to your property include sealing your garbage cans, storing pet food in airtight containers when not in use, and keeping the interior of your home as clean as possible.
Why You Need Professional Pest Control
Carpenter ants are a huge problem for many Worcester property owners. These destructive insects are known to attack moist or damp wood, which makes certain areas of your home more likely to be affected than others. Decks, roof eaves, window frames, and porches are common targets for carpenter ants, though any part of your Worcester home can be at risk. To avoid the damage and destruction carpenter ants cause, contact the pest technicians here at Big Blue Bug Solutions. If you notice large black ants crawling around in your Worcester home, it's important to reach out to professionals right away. We have the tools and experience to eliminate your carpenter ant infestation before serious damage occurs. Big Blue Bug Solutions cares about your pest control needs, which is why we make it our number-one priority to equip you with the pest control services you need for a pest-free property.
Give us a call today for more information about how we treat carpenter ant infestations, or to schedule an inspection.