$50.00 OFF Pest Control* Save50
*Terms and conditions apply - call for details
large black ant in norfolk va

Carpenter Ants

Fast & Effective Service

Call Us Today!  (515) 518-8864

OR
Request Your Free Quote Get Started!
Miller Pest & Termite received an average of 5.0 of 5 stars from 1058 reviews

What do carpenter ants look like?

  • Size: 1/4 -3/4 in.
  • Color: A variety of colors including black, reddish, orange, or a combination of black and red
  • Body Structure: Head, thorax, and abdomen with a small node on the pedicel. Queens and reproductive have two pairs of wings – a front pair that is longer than the back pair.  
carpenter ants infesting home

Characteristics of carpenter ants

Generally, there is a single queen in the colony but often supplementary queens as well. Colonies typically are around 15,000 workers when mature, but potentially could be over 100,000 workers.

When are carpenter ants most active?

Very Active
Active
Not Active
January
Jan
February
Feb
March
Mar
April
Apr
May
May
June
Jun
July
Jul
August
Aug
September
Sep
October
Oct
November
Nov
December
Dec

How are carpenter ant colonies formed?

New carpenter ant colonies are established when new queens disperse from existing colonies to find mates. While carpenter ants nest outdoors, they may establish satellite colonies inside homes and structures as well.  

Where do carpenter ants nest?

The usual habitat of a colony of carpenter ants is often in wood buried or partially buried in the soil. As mentioned above, they also commonly establish “satellite” colonies in structures, maintaining contact between the two colonies by traveling to and from over well-defined trails.

What do carpenter ants eat?

Carpenter ants feed on both carbohydrates and protein, with insects being a major part of their diet. Other staples of their diet in the wild include insect honeydew, plant juices, and fruit juices. Inside, carpenter ants consume sweets, meats, eggs, and grease.

Are carpenter ants dangerous?

Carpenter ants are capable of biting, but rarely do so. Also, they do not pose a threat to human health.

Like termites, carpenter ants are a serious structural pest. When they excavate or tunnel in order to create galleries, they can weaken the structural integrity of the wood they’re infesting.

Why do I have a carpenter ant infestation?

If your home has water damage or rotting wood present, there’s a good chance carpenter ants will infest. Moisture issues in structures are commonly associated with carpenter ant activity.

Carpenter ants are also attracted to water-damaged wood on your property. Rotting tree stumps and dead trees are prime nesting spots for carpenter ants and you might also see them crawling up and down trees in order to nest in tree cavities.

How do I get rid of carpenter ants?

For effective pest control services that exterminate carpenter ants, contact a licensed pest control company. At Miller Pest & Termite, we’ve been taking care of carpenter ants and other pest problems since 2001 and are ready to help you eliminate these wood-destroying insects! 

How can I prevent a carpenter ant problem?

If you want to make your home and property less appealing to carpenter ants, we recommend implementing the following pest prevention tips:

  • Keep firewood, building materials, and other wood several feet away from your home and up off the ground
  • Cut tree branches and trim back shrubs and bushes so that they do not touch the exterior of the house
  • Clean gutters regularly so that leaves, twigs, and other organic debris do not stop water from running freely
  • Make sure downspouts divert water away from the foundation
  • Repair leaking appliances and other leaks
  • Replace water-damaged wood inside the house
  • Caulk or seal off all potential entry points

Since carpenter ants do not eat wood but common pantry items, homeowners should also keep the kitchen, dining room, and other areas where food is prepped or consumed, clean.

midwest family at home
miller customer review
We’ve had Miller Pest Control regularly treat our home for over a decade now and love them! Excellent service, very professional & friendly team, and prompt customer service.
Emily G. - Des Moines

Get Help Now!

Request Your Free Quote

There was a problem with your submission. Please correct the issues below

Phone should be formatted like (111) 111-1111

By submitting this form I agree to receive marketing messaging from Miller Pest & Termite at the phone number provided above. I understand I may receive at least 2 messages a month and data rates may apply. Sending STOP will opt me out of receiving future messages. 

Please wait…
miller pest control specialist

Call us today for quality pest control

A full-service pest control company serving IA, KS, MO & NE since 2001, you can count on us to eliminate insects & rodents!