Carpenter Ants can prove to be one of the worst ant species Northern Utah and Southern Idaho locals face. They are not only a difficult pest to treat but they are also one of the most destructive species of ant. Rentokil will share some insights of the carpenter ant, how you can tell if that is the species of ant you’re under invasion by, and the best treatment methods of ridding your home of these troubling pests.

Carpenter Ant Identification

The carpenter ant is one of the largest species of ants found in the U.S. Worker carpenter ants grow up to a half an inch in length, the swarmers a little larger and the queens measuring the longest at about an inch. They are most commonly black in color however occasionally their color may vary from reddish to yellowish as well. Worker carpenter ants are easy enough to identify due to their larger mandibles. A queen carpenter ant can lay up to 16 eggs per year and live up to 25 years. The cycle from egg to adult is about 12 weeks. Carpenter ants will live in both outdoors and indoors; favoring moist, decaying or hollow woods for nesting sites. The carpenter ant doesn’t actually eat the wood, unlike termites. They prefer meats and sweet food left by people. However, even though they don’t eat the wood they do cause serious damage by cutting galleries into the wood for their nests.

Signs of Carpenter Ants

Some of the common signs of carpenter ant activity are, of course, the presence of worker ants. Their larger mandibles and coloring makes them easier to see and identify. Another sign of carpenter ant activity is the winged ant, also called swarmers. Like termites, future carpenter ant queens leave the colony to establish a new one. Seeing these winged ants means there is a current colony nearby and a new one will probably begin. You may also want to look for signs of current activity where the worker ants are digging galleries. You will see piles of sawdust often mixed with dead ants. When searching for any signs of a colony, make sure you look both inside and outside of your home. Of course, look for any dying plants or trees where they might begin their first colony.

Carpenter Ant Control

There are chemical treatments you can use, but first, you must find the nest. It may be difficult, especially if the colony is inside your home. You will likely need the assistance of a professional pest control company. With our experience, we will be able to locate the nest or nests, and properly deal with them. Rentokil will customize treatment and use various control methods until you no longer have carpenter ants in and around your home. Carpenter ants are best treated right away. If left unchecked for a long period of time, they can cause major damages which can be rather expensive to repair. If you have found signs of carpenter ant activity or have been struggling with removing a current carpenter ant infestation, don’t delay. Rentokil has a great deal of experience with this species of ant and can help you remove this problem from your home and yards. Call us today to make your home pest-free!