Carpenter Ant Season is Here

While most of us celebrate winter turning to spring, it’s also the time of year that many pests become active. That’s certainly true for carpenter ants. They become active in the spring and remain active till fall. In more established colonies, swarmers, or winged ants that leave the colony to mate and start new colonies, can appear in May and through August in the northeast.

This species is notorious for creating satellite colonies that move into homes, so it might not be long before you find them roaming around in your kitchen or shed. Their presence can be cause for concern as they have a painful bite and can cause substantial property damage.

What makes carpenter ants different?

The biggest difference between carpenter ants and pavement or field ants is their size. Carpenter ants are large and black, although they can be red, brown, or a combination of red and black. They get their name because they love to nest in wooden structures, especially in moist or decaying wood, where they excavate the wood and create tunnels.

Some of the most common places homeowners find carpenter ants include around:

• Windows
• Door frames
• Chimneys
• Wall voids

How do you get rid of carpenter ants?

Since carpenter ants need moisture to survive, eliminating sources of moist wood and standing water is your best defense to protect your home against infestations. Other ways to protect your home include:

• Keep trees and bushes cut back away from the house
• Seal all openings with a silicone caulk around windows and door frames
• Store firewood away from your home