Do you know how to recognize a carpenter ant? These tiny pests like to settle near trees, but also invade homes, businesses and industries in Quebec.
After all, their small size allows them to easily infiltrate any type of building. They only need a tiny opening to sneak inside. Unfortunately, these insect pests also point to the existence of rotten or damp wood.
The presence of carpenter ants is quite common in Quebec. Although these are not a danger to pets or humans, they are responsible for a lot of material damage, for example, to the structure of your building. So, it’s crucial to get rid of this invader quickly at the first sign.
Find out how to identify carpenter ants with our carpenter ant extermination specialists.
How to recognize a carpenter ant in the house?
The carpenter ant lives both indoors and outdoors. It builds its colonies of carpenter ants in wood by digging in rotten or damp wood to make their nest. To find a carpenter ant nest, you must therefore look for holes in wood.
Outside, it is the trees and damp wood piles that attract them. Inside, you will find them in the framework.
Note that these ants do not feed on wood like termites. It only chews on wood to create its nest and find food sources. At the first sign of ants in the house, you have to take action, otherwise, what is a small carpenter ant problem quickly turns into a major infestation.
How to recognize carpenter ant vs black ant
Unlike its counterpart the black ant, the carpenter ant is reddish, with orange, yellow, or black hues. It is also larger, about 5/8 of an inch for workers and 3/4 of an inch for winged kings and queens. The shape of his body is also different. The carpenter ant has only one knot between the abdomen and the thorax, and the abdomen also has a hairy circle at the tip and the thorax is round and uneven. Their antennae are also curved.
Kings and queens are often mistaken for winged termites which are also pests that destroy wood. These pests rarely infiltrate a home at the same time. Hence the importance of contacting a team of specialized extermination technicians to use the right preventive measures against your pest.
How to recognize carpenter ants by damage
The carpenter ant identifies wood with a high level of humidity to make its nest, as these are favorable conditions for the development of eggs and larvae.
The 6 most prone places for a carpenter ant infestation
- The wood between the roof and the ceiling of the entrance porches
- Any wood damaged by inadequate flashing, clogged gutters or water infiltration
- Near plumbing in the kitchen or bathroom
- In spaces with low ventilation, such as crawl spaces, attics and attic
- Empty spaces under bathtubs and showers
- Damaged wood of door and window frames
It’s good to know that ants invade after dark by following tree branches, garden hoses, or any other space that allows them to enter your home.
How to recognize the carpenter ant: what attracts it
Carpenter ants are attracted to the smell of damp wood or food. They are omnivorous insects that feed on fresh fruit, honeydew, aphids, plant nectar, sugar, fat, and meat. It is therefore important to put your food in airtight containers.
Nova Extermination: the solution to get rid of carpenter ants
Now that you know how to recognize a carpenter ant, it’s time to contact a professional. Carpenter ants are difficult to manage. Even if you manage to get rid of them, there’s no guarantee that they won’t come back. The best way to put a definitive end to an invasion is to hire technicians for the extermination of carpenter ants.
Nova Extermination offers various insect and rodent extermination services. We are able to free you from your invaders quickly and effectively.
Contact us today and find your peace of mind at home. We will create a customized intervention plan to get rid of your carpenter ants.
