DESCRIPTION

Carpenter ants live in colonies within a strict hierarchical structure. There are queens, workers, and males, each with a distinct role and physical appearance. The queen is the largest insect in the colony, while the workers vary in size according to their function. Therefore, identifying the ant species infesting your home based solely on size is difficult.
Carpenter ants chew wood to build their nests. However, they don't eat wood like termites. They feed on sugary foods, pet food, and other insects. Carpenter ants are generally found in wooded areas and nest in damp wood and tree stumps. They can also be found in homes: in wooden doors, ceiling beams, floor joists, under bathtubs, and in attics.

The difference between carpenter ants and termites

Homeowners often confuse carpenter ants with termites. However, it's very easy to tell the difference. Carpenter ants have elbowed (angled) antennae, while termite antennae are straight. There's also a difference in the types of damage they cause to wood. Carpenter ants produce sawdust as a result of their chewing activity, while termites produce small pellets.
Macro close-up photograph of multiple red and black ants clustered together on a light colored surface, detailed view of ant colony or group, natural lighting, shallow depth of field, pest documentation photography, indoor pest control concept, scientific and educational style

DEVELOPMENT

In carpenter ants, there is only one queen per colony. It all begins with a mass flight of winged adults that mate in flight, a process known as "swarming." After mating, the now-queen loses her wings and searches for the ideal place to lay her first eggs: a dying tree, a rotting stump, or sometimes inside a building. It is important to note that carpenter ants are not xylophagous; they do not eat wood. Instead, these ants excavate galleries to establish a colony, either a main colony or a satellite colony (which does not have a queen).
For the colony to reach full maturity, it takes at least three years. By then, it consists of at least 2,000 worker ants. At the end of each summer, the queen begins to produce winged, reproductive insects that will, in turn, establish a new colony.
Carpenter ants then dig their nests in places conducive to their expansion such as an insulating urethane panel or a piece of wood whose density has been affected by moisture, facilitating the drilling of galleries in the latter.

  • A carpenter ant infestation in a house can occur in the following 4 ways:
  • A queen arrives at your house and founds a new colony;
  • A colony or part of a colony migrates as a result of major stress;
  • Material containing ants, such as firewood, is brought into the house;
  • A satellite nest forms, without a queen. This is, in fact, the most frequent cause in Quebec.
Image 1 (Larger - Left side, 60% width): Close-up photograph of severely damaged wood structure Vertical wooden beams or boards showing extensive termite/carpenter ant damage Multiple parallel tunneling patterns and galleries carved into the wood Exposed wood grain with hollow chambers and structural deterioration Yellowish-brown/tan colored aged wood Visible layers of wood damage showing the progression of infestation Realistic texture showing wood fibers and degradation Indoor setting with soft lighting
Image 2 (Smaller - Right side, 40% width): Close-up macro photograph of carpenter ants on damaged wood Group of 6-10 black ants actively moving on wood surface Wood showing damage, tunnels, and deterioration Dark burnt or charred-looking areas on the wood Visible ant details (legs, antennae, segmented bodies) Sharp focus on ants with wood texture visible Warm lighting highlighting the ants Rounded corners matching first image

PREVENTION

Here are some tips to follow to prevent carpenter ants from appearing in your home:
  • 01
    Make sure to leave firewood outside your house, in a place away from the building.
  • 02
    Keep wood debris away from your house.
  • 03
    Address any problems related to water infiltration, as this damages wooden structures and damp wood attracts carpenter ants.
  • 04
    Store food in sealed containers.
  • 05
    Clean your kitchen floor and countertops regularly to remove traces of food.
  • 06
    Make sure to trim tree branches around your property so they do not touch your house.
  • 07
    Repair cracks in the exterior siding of your property and seal around your doors and windows.

RECOMMENDATIONS

If it's too late and you have an ant infestation in your home, here are some recommendations:
  • 1. Conduct a thorough search to discover where the main ant nest is located.
  • 2. Modify the conditions that promote the proliferation of carpenter ants; remove any rotten or infested wood that may be found around your house.
  • 3. If the ants are coming from outside the house to feed, a seasonal external intervention can resolve the situation. If you have an ant infestation in your home, a RD technician will develop a plan with you that takes into account the environment and the safety of the residents.
If you notice carpenter ants in your home, contact us now for a free estimate . RD's team of professional exterminators offers prevention and extermination services perfectly tailored to your needs, both inside and outside your home.