Carpenter ants are social insects, which means they live in colonies and share their work. The most common species is black. Other species vary in color from red to dark brown, with some being two colored. At one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch in length, the black carpenter ant is one of the largest ants in North America.
Carpenter ants don't really eat the wood in your home, because they can't digest wood. However, they have no qualms about using their strong, sharp jaws to chisel out extensive nest chambers in your structural wood. They spend a lot of time foraging for food. They will eat any sweet or protein scraps of crumbs they can find around your sink, counter, or pantry.
These ants are not all particular. Wood, moisture, warmth, and a source of food are all they need. When dealing with carpenter ants , the rule is to follow the moisture. Kitchen, bathroom and laundry areas are likely place to find carpenter ants They will nest near leaky pipes and under sinks where you have condensation from plumbing, and behind dish washers. They sometimes nest in wall voids and may be detected by the rustling noises they make.
All ants have a narrow waist where their abdomen is joined to their middle body region (thorax) and have two pair of wings of different lengths. The front are much shorter than the rear wings. Ants also have elbowed antenna.
To learn more about the professional pest control services provided by Baskin's Termite Control, Inc., call us at (231) 744-9626 in Muskegon, Michigan. |
