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Identification:
Carpenter
Ants vary in size from 1/4 to 1/2 inch in length, are black in color and
have a single node between their thorax and abdomen.
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Biology:
Carpenter Ant's
primary nests are in trees, but they may establish satellite nests inside
structures such as homes and buildings. They do not eat wood, they
just hollow out "galleries" in the wood for nesting sites.
The construction of these galleries can cause serious damage to structural
timbers and they are therefore classified as "wood destroying
insects".
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Life Cycle:
During the warm
months a Carpenter Ant can complete it's life cycle in as little as 60 days.
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Overwintering:
Carpenter Ants sometimes overwinter in structures such as structural timbers, flooring,
hollow core doors, etc. If you see Carpenter Ants in your home during
the winter months, there is most likely a nest inside your home.
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Spring Activity:
As
temperatures start to warm in the spring, the Carpenter Ants become more
active, seeking new sites for satellite colonies and foraging great
distances (hundreds of yards) for new food sources.
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Signs of an Infestation:
Besides
seeing the big, black ants themselves, a carpenter ant infestation is
commonly identified by the piles of "frass" or coarse wood
shavings they leave when hollowing out wood for their nests.
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Treatment:
Many companies use
a carpenter ant infestation to sell you a monthly or bi-monthly
service. This is unnecessary. Monroe Pest Control Company can
rid you of a Carpenter Ant infestation, usually in one trip and we stand
behind our work.
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