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Carpenter
Ants
IDENTIFICATION AND LIFE CYCLE
There are many species
of carpenter ants in Canada.
Most of them have these common characteristics:
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Three part body. (head,
thorax and abdomen)
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Colors: All
black, dark brown, dark red, or a combination of these
colors.
-
Sizes: May have up to 5
different size ants in each nest. (10 to 20 mm.)
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Antenna has distinctive
elbow.
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Observed under a
magnifying glass, there is one "node" or spike between the
thorax and the abdomen.
-
Circular ring of hairs
at tip of abdomen (gaster)
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No Stinger.
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Large mandibles for
chewing tunnels in wood.
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Thorax has smooth
rounded upper side.
Life Cycle and Habits
Carpenter Ants establish their initial nest in decayed wood,
but, once established, the ants extend their tunneling into
sound wood and can do considerable damage to a structure.
They commonly nest in standing trees (living or dead), in
stumps, or in logs on the forest floor. Since many houses
are being built in forested areas, well established,
vigorous colonies are readily available in the immediate
vicinity to attack these dwellings. This is especially true
when homes are built with a minimal removal of trees and
stumps near the structure.
The parent nest is often located in a
tree, stump, stacked wood within 100 meters of the house or
wood and stumps buried in the yard when the house was
constructed. Decorative wood landscape ties brought in to
enhance the beauty of a yard or driveway may also be the
location of a parent colony.
Satellite Nests
When the parent nest grows larger and needs room
to expand satellite colonies are established. These
satellite colonies often develop in nearby structures
presumably because they offer warm protection. Only the
parent nest contains the queen(s), young larvae and
workers, while the satellite contains the mature larvae,
pupae, workers, and/or winged reproductives. Ants move back
and forth from parent nest to satellite nest but just a few
( less than 10 % ) will be visible outside the nest.
At times (usually late summer) workers can be seen moving
mature larvae (white and grub-like) or pupae (papery
cocoons) from one nest to another.
Food and Foraging
Ants are generally active along ant trails from April to
mid-October. These trails follow natural contours and lines
of least resistance and also frequently cut across lawns.
Traffic on these trails may be noticeable during the day,
but peak traffic occurs after sunset and continues
throughout the night. The natural food for these ants
consists of insects and other arthropods and sweet exudates
from aphids and insects. They are also attracted to other
sweet material such as decaying fruits.
Reproduction
The colony does not produce reproductives (winged males
and queens) until it is from 3 to 6 years old and contains
at least 2,000 workers. Reproductive carpenter ants ( winged
males and females ) leave the nest as early as January if
the nest is in a heated structure. Those living outside in
logs and stumps will not swarm until about early May. The
fertilized queens must then find wet wood to establish a new
nest, and the cycle starts over again. The new queen could
live 15 years or more and lay 70,000 fertilized eggs.
Carpenter Ant Control
Many pest management professionals consider carpenter
ants the most difficult pest to control. This opinion
is also expressed by many entomologists on government and
university web sites. The only total control solution
is to locate and eliminate all of the satellite nests in a
structure, and if possible the parent nest which is usually
outdoors. This requires considerable knowledge, skills and
experience. Spraying pesticides on carpenter ants visible
outside of the nests will have little or no effect on the
rest of the colony. (Only a few workers ever leave the
nests) It could result in the hidden nest splitting and
moving. Common ant poisons available to consumers have
no effect on carpenter ants. (They may work on some
other ant species). Home remedies such as borax and
sugar are likewise useless. The best solution is to
call an experienced professional, obtain an estimate and
consider the cost a worthwhile investment in the future of
your home.
Carpenter Ant Prevention
To prevent further carpenter ant
infestations, trim all trees and bushes so branches do not
touch the house. Eliminate other unnecessary vegetation
touching the structure. Correct moisture problems such as
leaky roofs, rain gutters and downspouts. Paint and/or seal
exposed wood construction before it becomes wet. Replace
previously ant- or termite-infested wood, rotted, or
water-damaged wooden parts of the structure and eliminate
wood/soil contacts. Remove dead stumps on the property and
store firewood off the ground and away from the structure.
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