Can you identify carpenter ants? The more homeowners know about their appearance, the easier it is to spot and control a carpenter ant infestation. One interesting feature of carpenter ants is that some of them have two sets of wings while others have no wings at all.
If you have a carpenter ant problem, contact a pest control specialist. They will find the nest, treat the colony and can put prevention methods in place to stop the carpenter ants from returning.
Do Carpenter Ants Have Two Sets of Wings?
Do carpenter ants have two sets of wings? The answer depends on the type of carpenter ant. For example, worker carpenter ants do not have any wings.
Reproductive carpenter ants, on the other hand, do have two sets of wings. This type of carpenter ant is also known as the alates. They are the ants that leave their colony to mate and form new colonies.
Alates have two sets of wings: a large front pair and a small back pair of wings. The reason they have wings is because carpenter ants mate fly out of their nest to start new colonies. In the late spring and early summer, reproductive carpenter ants leave their nest for their “nuptial flight.”
After mating, they shed their wings, and the male carpenter ants die shortly after. The female carpenter ants start a new colony in a different location from their original one.
Each group in the carpenter ant colony has its job. Worker carpenter ants do not have wings because they don’t need them. They do not mate but provide food and shelter for the rest of the colony.
For example, they’re responsible for excavating wood to create nests, foraging for food, caring for larvae and defending the colony against outside threats. Since worker ants live their entire lives in one colony, they do not need wings to fly away.
The final category of carpenter ants is the queen, the female alates that shed their wings and start a new ant colony after mating. Their job is to reproduce more workers and reproductive carpenter ants. The queens stay in the nest and are protected against outside threats by their worker ants.
It’s important for homeowners to understand the common signs of a carpenter ant infestation. If you see carpenter ants around your property or in your home, it’s a sign that a full colony is nearby. These ants are difficult to control on your own, so it’s best to leave it up to the professionals.
Call in a local pest control company for expert help. They’ll have the right tools and experience needed to locate the carpenter ant nest, control the infestation and put prevention methods in place for the future.
What Time of Day Are Carpenter Ants Most Active?
It’s helpful for homeowners to understand the behavior patterns of carpenter ants so they can identify an infestation. For example, basic knowledge of carpenter ant activity, such as what time of day they’re most active, can go a long way in protecting your home and property.
The time of day that carpenter ants are most active is at night, especially around dusk. This is when they feel most protected from outside threats because they can search for food, water and other materials under the cover of night.
Their nocturnal behavior benefits them in several ways. First, they encounter fewer predators at night. The cooler nighttime temperatures also make foraging more comfortable. Lastly, there are fewer disruptions as they look for building materials, food and water.
However, even though carpenter ants are most active at night, that does not mean that there is zero carpenter ant activity during the day. They can become particularly active during the day when they feel threatened. If needed, they will forage and build nests during the daytime in an emergency.
There are a few ways to tell when a carpenter ant colony is active during the day. The most obvious way is to spot them around your property or home, such as on your countertops or floors. You may also notice increased movement around wood structures since these ants get their name for chewing through wood.
How to Remove Carpenter Ants
Luckily, there are several ways that homeowners can remove carpenter ants from their properties. These pests reside in locations where they can access food, water and shelter, so removing these necessities goes a long way in keeping them away from your home.
Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they excavate wood to make their nests. Their diet consists of living and dead insects, meat, pet food, sugary substances like honey and syrup, plant matter and other materials.
Keeping a clean home, especially in the kitchen, goes a long way in eliminating carpentry and food sources. Clean up any spills right away, wipe away crumbs and keep all of your food in airtight containers. Do not leave dishes with food residue on them in the sink overnight.
Next, remove your water source by addressing all leaky pipes and faucets around your home. You should also deal with any standing water on your property and ensure that your home has proper ventilation.
Finally, remove nesting locations from your property by removing decaying wood, such as dead tree stumps. You should also keep firewood away from your home’s foundation and seal potential wood entry points, such as door frames.
For more help with deterring carpenter ants, contact a local pest control professional. They can conduct a thorough inspection of your property. The professionals are your guide to carpenter ants in Texas, so do not hesitate to contact them.
What Bug is Mistaken For a Carpenter Ant?
Carpenter ants, pictured above, look similar to several other species of ants, so getting them confused for another pest is normal. Since they also chew through wood, carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites. However, there are several ways to distinguish these pests.
Carpenter Ants Versus Pavement Ants
While carpenter ants and pavement ants, pictured above, are both small and dark-colored insects, they have several differences. Pavement ants are smaller than carpenter ants, typically found near sidewalks and driveways.
Pavement ants are less destructive than carpenter ants, building their nest in ground-level pavement cracks instead of wood structures.
Carpenter Ants Versus Black House Ants
While black house ants, pictured above, are also similar in color to carpenter ants, they have small bodies. Carpenter ants are also distinguished by their segmented bodies and heart-shaped heads.
When it comes to carpenter ants versus black ants, location is important. Black house ants aren’t interested in wood structures but are commonly found inside homes. They prefer homes because they have abundant food sources.
Carpenter Ants Versus Termites
Carpenter ants are commonly mistaken for termites, pictured above, because of their similar behavior. Both pests chew through wood and can cause severe structural damage. However, termites feed on the wood, while carpenter ants simply excavate wood to create nests.
There are several key physical differences between carpenter ants and termites. First, carpenter ants are normally black, brown or red while termites are pale white or light brown. Carpenter ants have segmented bodies while termites have uniform bodies that are more fragile than carpenter ant bodies. Termites also have a pair of straight antennae.
Both reproductive versions of these pests have two pairs of wings. However, carpenter ants have one larger set and one smaller set of wings while termites have two equal-sized pairs of wings.
If you’re unsure what type of pest you’re dealing with on your property, contact a pest control specialist.
Kick Carpenter Ants Off Your Property With Expert Help
Carpenter ants can cause severe damage to wood, which can lead to damage on your property. Knowing their appearance and behavior can help you distinguish carpenter ants from other pests and identify an infestation.
If you notice the signs of carpenter ants on your property, contact a local pest control service. They will do the heavy lifting for you so you can enjoy your home again without worrying about these unwelcome guests.
ABC Can Treat the Carpenter Ants on Your Property
If you’re dealing with carpenter ants, contact ABC Home & Commercial Services. Our professionals will create a custom pest treatment plan for your property. We even offer preventive pest control services so that any potential pest problems will be stopped in their tracks.
