Here in Florida, carpenter ants are prevalent, and can sometimes wreak havoc on wooden structures, not because they eat wood, but because they bore through it when making tunnels from which to forage food. At the first sign of carpenter ants, you’ll need to contact pest control in Palm Beach.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are generally larger than other species of ants, being anywhere from 3/8” to 1/2″ in length. Workers may be solid black, solid red or a combination of red and black. The queen is somewhat larger than the other ants in her colony, and can sometimes be as long as one inch. Reproductive males and females are around 3/4“ long, and are outfitted with clear wings.
A carpenter ant’s body is characterized by a thorax, which is the area between the head and abdomen that is rounded and generally smooth without any lines or ridges on it. Its antennae are also bent at an angle.
Signs of Infestation
If your home is infested with carpenter ants, you might notice large numbers of them crawling on wooden surfaces. There could also be small holes bored into your walls, windowsills or the foundation of your home. Directly beneath these holes, you may discover what appears to be small piles of sawdust. You may be able to hear carpenter ants by placing a stethoscope next to your wall. Ants are more likely to be active during the summer months, and they tend to forage for food at night more often than they do in the daytime.
Carpenter ants can nest in a number of areas of your home including inside foam insulation, underneath sinks, behind shower tiles, or near toilets and bathtubs. Finding their nests and successfully eliminating them requires the service of an experienced exterminator. If you’ve noticed carpenter ants in your home, don’t wait until damage has already been done- contact us right away instead.
Just Call Hulett! 866-611-2847
Hulett Environmental Services has been serving South Florida for over 40 years! We are a full service pest control company specializing in South Florida bugs.