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Carpenter ants are large, blackish colored ants varying in size between ¼ and ½ inch. They can cause quiet a damage to the wood in your house. Even though they prefer moist, decaying wood, they will never refuse to reside in dry, healthy wood. They start with a parent colony, and add satellite colonies as their numbers increase.

Habits

There is a queen ant in the group who lays eggs and brings up the young. Worker ants search for food and bring it to the nest. Soldier ants defend the nest from enemy ants. Carpenter ants nest in moist wood including rotting trees, tree roots, and logs lying on or buried in the ground. Nests have been found behind bathroom tiles; around tubs, sinks,and dishwashers; under roofing, in attic beams, and in hollow spaces.

These ants damage wood by creating galleries and tunnels. They like their areas clean, i.e. the nest does not contain sawdust or other debris. As for food, they feed on sources of protein and sugar. Outdoors, the carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects. They are also fond of honeydew, a sweet liquid produced by aphids and scale insects. Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants do not eat wood. The ants remove wood as they create galleries and tunnels to live.

How to Prevent Damage

• Avoid moisture in your house. Ants, mosquitoes and termites are attracted to moisture.
• Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from your house. Ants use these branches to visit your home.
• There must be no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Ants may use these to get into the home
• Do not let firewood and building materials stored near your home. Ants could use them to build nests.
• Call professionals if things go beyond your control

We emphasize on using green methods to exterminate carpenter ants that are both very effective as well as environmentally friendly.