Carpenter ants are very abundant in Ohio and are common pests in homes and other buildings. The most common carpenter ants are the familiar “large, black ants” that are one-half inch or more in length and shiny black. Other kinds of carpenter ants, however, are as small as one-quarter inch and are reddish-brown or two-toned. One consistent characteristic of all carpenter ants is the smoothly rounded outline of the thorax when viewed from the side.
Ants have a complete life cycle of 4 stages, Egg, Larva, Pupa, and Adult. Also, carpenter ants are social insects that live in large colonies with overlapping generations and castes that perform different tasks. Eggs are laid by a reproductive female (queen) and hatch into white, legless, grublike larvae. The larvae live for about three weeks before transforming to pupae and then to adults. Workers are nonreproductive female adults and are the most numerous members of the colony. Workers build the nest, forage for food, and care for the queen and larvae. Mature colonies may have as many as 2,000 to 3,000 workers.
Carpenter ants are scavengers. Although they are most active between dusk and dawn, ants can be seen during the day. Inside a house, carpenter ants feed on all food scraps, especially syrups, honey, jelly, sugar, meat, grease, and fat. Outside, they feed on honeydew, plant exudates, live or dead insects, and animal carcasses. Food is carried back to the nest by workers where it is shared with larvae, nonforaging workers, and the queen.
Swarming. Ants with wings, called swarmers, may appear at times in the home. Swarmers are sexually developed males and females that leave a healthy, well-established colony on the slim chances of starting a new colony somewhere else. Most swarmers will die of starvation, dehydration, or be eaten by birds, dragonflies, or other predators. Though almost all will fail, just enough succeed to spread the species and ensure its survival. All species of ants are capable of producing swarmers. Carpenter ant swarmers are recognized by their large size (body length of one-half inch or more).
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We will work together to find a time that works best for your schedule. Same day appointments are sometimes available if your pest control needs are urgent.
Our professional team of ant exterminators will usually spray both the interior and exterior of your home. We'll follow up as needed to make sure ants are no longer present in your home.