Family Structure
- Mature in about two months
- Immediately start enlarging the nest
- First year broods are small, with only 10 to 20 workers
- Quickly matures to thousands in the colony
Appearance
- Approximately 1/4″ to 1/2″ long
- May occur in several colors, although the most important species are black
Habitat
- A member of one of the largest ant species
- Name comes from the fact that they “chew” passageways in wood
- As they chew, they place the debris outside the nest in piles that look like sawdust
- These piles, called “frass,” may be first visible sign of carpenter ants
- Left unchecked for a period of time, these passageways can become quite large
- Like homes built in heavily wooded areas or low, shady places where the ground stays damp
- In your home:
- Around a sink in the kitchen or bathroom
- Around plumbing leaks, clogged gutters and downspouts
- In any dark void – hollow curtain rods, hollow-core doors, ceilings, dead wall space, etc.
Diet
- Scavenge your house for food crumbs and insects
- First thing they do is look for food
- Carpenter ants do not eat wood
- Eat thick sugars like jelly or honey, fruits, meats, grease, fat, and other domestic foods
- Will also eat insects (dead or alive) or any other type of organic matter
Contact Us
Contact us for help with a Carpenter Ant problem. You may also call either our Central Coast office or our Ventura County office.