Black Carpenter Ants

HOW TO IDENTIFY BLACK CARPENTER ANTS

Carpenter Ants will usually be in large numbers, the color is brownish-black, workers are 1/8 to 1/2 inches long but vary greatly in size. They come in several color forms. Some are completely black, some are reddish, and some are a combination of red and black. They are some of the largest of the ants that we have in this area.

It is very important to know which species you have since their habits and food preferences vary greatly.

Ants are now among the most important pests both residentially and commercially.

This is due to their mere presence as an overwhelming nuisance pest.

WHERE DO BLACK CARPENTER ANTS COME FROM?

We are living in the "Carpenter Ant" neighborhood. The carpenter ant has a moderately-sized colony that can consist of up to 3,000 workers which takes approximately 3 to 6 years to mature.

They can have satellite nests which increases the numbers of workers. There is usually only one queen per nest.

Swarmers appear from May to August. Most carpenter ant nests start outdoors in decaying logs, rotting fence posts, stumps, old firewood, damaged trees, or in structures that may have wood that has been damaged by moisture.

Incidents of damage can be found in North Carolina and extends into the northern states.

WHERE DO YOU SEE CARPENTER ANTS?

Carpenter ants cause millions of dollars of damage in the United States due to the destruction to wooden members in structures. They are usually seen first outside the structure. They gain access through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, eaves and the foundation.

They will follow tree branches into the structure. If they are seen more than once inside, this usually indicates they have moved into the structure; but sometimes you can have Carpenter ants without even knowing it.

Once inside, they can be seen almost anywhere in the home or structure. Later they migrate to sound wood when the colony starts to expand. They crawl behind Masonite siding that has been damaged by moisture or has a high moisture content and then move through insulation and into sound wood in wall voids.

Sometimes the only way that they are noticed is the rustling of the winged swarmers in wall voids, or by their windows that they create. These are small slits or openings ("windows") where they expel debris which is small wood shavings or dead insect body parts. The carpenter ants are most active between 10 pm and 2 am but some workers can be seen most anytime during the day.

FEEDING PREFERENCES OF BLACK CARPENTER ANTS

Inside the home, the carpenter ant prefers the following: sweets, eggs, meats and grease. Outside the home, carpenter ants feed on both live and dead insects. They also show a preference for honeydew which is a secretion from aphids and scale insects feeding on plants. They can travel up to 300 feet from the nest. They sometimes make a very distinctive active trail that they clear of vegetation and debris to access food. They do not eat wood; they just excavate cavities to house their nests.

Do It Yourself ways to reduce the conditions that harbor and attract the Carpenter Ant:

Trim tree and shrub branches off of structure
Remove dead trees, damaged post, logs and stumps
Seal gaps around doors and windows
Repair foundation cracks
Repair moisture damaged wood inside and outside structure
Clean gutters and downspouts of debris
Clean garbage cans
Move garbage cans 25 feet from structure
Clean all pet food dishes and remove spilled pet food
Repair all leaks in structure
Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan

Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Carpenter Ant pest problem:

Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. There are many areas that our inspectors check to identify as areas that need to be treated to give the best results. These areas consists of their runways, dead portions of standing trees, areas of high moisture in wooden members and touching trees, etc.
The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem quickly for you. Usual critical areas would be the outside areas, fascias, storage areas, crawlspaces and garages. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will involve locating ant trails and nests.
The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that gives easy access of the carpenter ants to your property by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or food sources that would be attractive to this type of ant.
The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property.
Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation.

Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus.

Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.


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They are some of the largest of the ants that we have in this area. It is very important to know which species you have since their habits and food preferences vary greatly. Ants are now among the most important pests both residentially and commercially. This is due to their mere presence as an overwhelming nuisance pest. WHERE DO BLACK CARPENTER ANTS COME FROM? We are living in the "Carpenter Ant" neighborhood. The carpenter ant has a moderately-sized colony that can consist of up to 3,000 workers which takes approximately 3 to 6 years to mature. They can have satellite nests which increases the numbers of workers. There is usually only one queen per nest. Swarmers appear from May to August. Most carpenter ant nests start outdoors in decaying logs, rotting fence posts, stumps, old firewood, damaged trees, or in structures that may have wood that has been damaged by moisture. Incidents of damage can be found in North Carolina and extends into the northern states. WHERE DO YOU SEE CARPENTER ANTS? Carpenter ants cause millions of dollars of damage in the United States due to the destruction to wooden members in structures. They are usually seen first outside the structure. They gain access through cracks and crevices around windows, doors, eaves and the foundation. They will follow tree branches into the structure. If they are seen more than once inside, this usually indicates they have moved into the structure; but sometimes you can have Carpenter ants without even knowing it. Once inside, they can be seen almost anywhere in the home or structure. Later they migrate to sound wood when the colony starts to expand. They crawl behind Masonite siding that has been damaged by moisture or has a high moisture content and then move through insulation and into sound wood in wall voids. Sometimes the only way that they are noticed is the rustling of the winged swarmers in wall voids, or by their windows that they create. These are small slits or openings ("windows") where they expel debris which is small wood shavings or dead insect body parts. The carpenter ants are most active between 10 pm and 2 am but some workers can be seen most anytime during the day. FEEDING PREFERENCES OF BLACK CARPENTER ANTS Inside the home, the carpenter ant prefers the following: sweets, eggs, meats and grease. Outside the home, carpenter ants feed on both live and dead insects. They also show a preference for honeydew which is a secretion from aphids and scale insects feeding on plants. They can travel up to 300 feet from the nest. They sometimes make a very distinctive active trail that they clear of vegetation and debris to access food. They do not eat wood; they just excavate cavities to house their nests. Do It Yourself ways to reduce the conditions that harbor and attract the Carpenter Ant: Trim tree and shrub branches off of structure Remove dead trees, damaged post, logs and stumps Seal gaps around doors and windows Repair foundation cracks Repair moisture damaged wood inside and outside structure Clean gutters and downspouts of debris Clean garbage cans Move garbage cans 25 feet from structure Clean all pet food dishes and remove spilled pet food Repair all leaks in structure Seek professional assistance and a pest prevention plan Economy Exterminators Pest Prevention Plus program uses the 4 step approach to solve your Carpenter Ant pest problem: Our 1st step is the inspection of the property by a Customer Service Specialist. It is very important to know the species involved and the severity of the pest problem. There are many areas that our inspectors check to identify as areas that need to be treated to give the best results. These areas consists of their runways, dead portions of standing trees, areas of high moisture in wooden members and touching trees, etc. The 2nd step would be the initial treatment by a Customer Service Specialist of all areas that the inspection revealed as critical areas. Economy Exterminators uses the newest and most effective materials to solve this pest problem quickly for you. Usual critical areas would be the outside areas, fascias, storage areas, crawlspaces and garages. On the outside, special attention will be applied to all the windows, doors, eaves and the foundations. Special time and effort will involve locating ant trails and nests. The 3^rd step is a 37 point inspection of your property to identify areas on your property that gives easy access of the carpenter ants to your property by either direct access (cracks in the foundation) or food sources that would be attractive to this type of ant. The 4^th step would be an ongoing maintenance program for the next generation. New infestations will be moving on your property from the adjoining property. Our exclusive Pest Prevention Plus program is designed to prevent the next generation. Choose Economy Exterminators for your comprehensive, professional and proven effective pest management program, Pest Prevention Plus. Take the first step today and Schedule a Free Pest Inspection.