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Jul 24, 2023 · Carpenter ants are typically 3/8 to 1/2 inch in length and black or brown in color. But while this is relatively large for an ant, the general description applies to many species of ants —size alone is not a good identifying feature.
- Species of Ants
We round up common types of ants, from fire to carpenter,...
- Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants average about 3/8 of an inch in length but...
- Species of Ants
Apr 8, 2022 · You can also identify carpenter ants by their color. They can be yellowish-red, reddish-orange, solid black, or black-red. Their body structure is also different from other ants.
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How do you identify carpenter ants?
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Feb 2, 2024 · They can be black or red in color. Photo: istockphoto.com. At first glance, it can be hard to tell the difference between carpenter ants vs. black ants. However, the differences are more...
Browse 422 authentic carpenter ant stock photos, high-res images, and pictures, or explore additional carpenter ant damage or florida carpenter ant stock images to find the right photo at the right size and resolution for your project.
- Overview
- Noting Physical Characteristics
- Watching for Signs of Carpenter Ants
- Dealing with an Infestation
Carpenter ants play key ecosystem roles, particularly by aiding in the decomposition of decaying trees. They also can infiltrate homes and other buildings, nesting in moist, rotting wood and causing significant structural damage. Being able to properly identify and distinguish carpenter ants from other species is an important factor in determining ...
Carpenter ants are usually brown or black.
Some are a combination of black and orange. While you need more than color to figure out if you have carpenter ants, noting color is a good place to start.
As you observe ants, try estimate their size. Carpenter ants are not very big. Normally, you will see worker ants around your home. They are generally 3/8 to 1/2 an inch.
However, in some areas carpenter ants tend to be smaller. In Minnesota, for example, some carpenter ants are only 3/16 of an inch. When noting size, look to other characteristic as well.
Carpenter ants are black ants with large heads and mandibles. They have two types of workers: the larger soldiers are about 1/2" long, and they will travel up to 100 yards from the colony. The smaller workers are 1/4" long. They stay much closer to the main nest, and they aren't particularly distinctive from other house ants.
Watch for a round thorax.
Look for piles of wood shavings.
Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they do burrow in it. They will burrow into wood furniture in your home, such as desks or cabinets. If you have a carpenter ant infestation, you may find piles of wood shavings just below wooden objects like desks.
These wood shavings are called frass.
Frass is a combination of sawdust, insect parts, and dead ants. It's a sure sign there's an infestation, and you should consult a pest management professional to determine the best course of action.
Listen for ants in the walls.
Gently tap against the walls in your home while pressing your ear against the wall. Tapping often disturbs an ant nest. If you have an infestation, you may hear a light rustling sound.
A mild carpenter ant infestation can be treated at home with baited traps. You can buy such traps at a hardware store. You can set up traps in areas where you have seen carpenter ants traveling.
This usually works best if you have carpenter ants somewhere outside, like your porch. This will prevent the ants from moving indoors.
Make sure to check the labels of any traps you use. You may need to keep them out of reach of children and animals.
Try reducing the humidity and moisture in your home to discourage the ants.
Carpenter ants are almost always associated with high humidity and moisture, and they're commonly found in areas that are chronically wet or somewhere that you have a leak.
Sprays can be used to keep an infestation from moving in doors. Purchase bug sprays specifically designed to repel or kill carpenter ants at a local hardware store. Sprays are usually applies in a perimeter around your home.
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Color: The most common color is black, but some species have reddish or yellowish coloration. The color also varies among species, ranging from jet-black to dark brown, red, black, yellow, orange, yellowish tan or light brown.
Carpenter ants measure from 3.4 to 13 mm in length and can feature black, red, brown, yellow, orange, or red and black coloration. Although carpenter ants are among the largest ant species worldwide, size is not a reliable factor in carpenter ant identification because workers within a species vary in size.
