Carpenter Ants – A spring Swarm
Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects, and even though they do not eat wood, they will damage homes.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Generally, carpenter ants are black and large. They range in size from 1/4 of an inch to almost a 1/2 inch in length. What is unique about carpenter ants is that they swarm. If you see a swarm of ants near your home, there is likely a nest inside your home.
What is A Swarm
Termites swarm, honey bees swarm, wasps swarm, and carpenter ants swarm, and they tend to do so in the spring. A “swarm” is a flying mass of a single species of insect. Those mentioned above are all examples. Carpenter ants swarm by flying away from a nest to create a new nest. Otherwise, carpenter ants do not have wings.
How Do Carpenter Ants Damage Your Home?
The damage to structures caused by carpenter ants can be as damaging as that caused by termites. Unlike Termites, carpenter ants only chew wood. They do not eat it. What they do is to create smooth cavities inside of wood, such as the support beams for your foundation. Over a few years, the population of ants grows, and they make more cavities in the beam. Replacing the beams damaged by the ants can be expensive.
Carpenter ants are among the many insects that we look for when we complete a WDI – Wood Destroying Insect Report. Spring is the time of year when carpenter ants emerge and swarm. Be on the lookout for clouds of flying ants. If you see them, they are likely near or inside your home.
For all of your pest control needs, give us a call. We handle wood-destroying insects and other pests that invade your home. Our rates are affordable, and we have the experience to help you live pest-free.
