Most adult carpenter ants are black or reddish black and ¼ – ½ inch long. There is usually just one queen per colony.
Circumstances that allow wood to become damp and remain in that condition must be corrected. Structural defects and weather–damaged areas should be repaired.
Inspect and clean gutters before the rainy season and seal openings in the foundation, windows, and other access areas into the home.
Firewood piles should be located as far from the house as is practical. They should also be elevated above the ground.
Prune bushes and trees away from the home. Because they provide bridges for ants, tree branches and bushes should not touch structures.
To control carpenter ants that can invade the house, apply Ortho® Home Defense® MAX™Termite & Destructive Bug Killer outside.
Carpenter ants are wood destroying insects that provide a significant service in nature, but are destructive in residential settings. In the forest they perform an important role by decomposing decaying trees. In homes they can cause considerable destruction to structural timbers, ceilings, and floor areas. They can also be a nuisance by crawling about the house in search of food. They do not sting, but their bite can be painful.
