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Are Carpenter Ants Nesting In My Home?
Carpenter ants enter buildings to find food, water and shelter. If conditions are favorable, they may establish a nest or nests indoors. Depending on the subspecies, they may do this in several locations throughout the structure.
There are 5 types or castes of carpenter ants that comprise a colony. The smallest workers, the “minors”, can be as small as 5mm while the largest workers, the “majors”, can be 10mm or more in length. Medians are middle sized workers and all workers are female.
The winged kings of a colony are 10mm to 12mm in length. Winged queens can be as large as 15mm. Queens and kings of the same colony cannot mate. New parent colonies are started by queens fertilized by males from a different parent colony.
Flying ants trying to exit your home is an indication of nesting activity. They are trying to get out because they cannot reproduce with each other. In most instances, the kings are the first to appear followed by the queens. They typically collect on well lit windows and often, in significant number.
Carpenter ants are most active out of doors from April to October and they regularly enter homes in search of food and water in these months. However, if you see workers or reproductives indoors in the late fall or winter there is probably a nest inside.
Other indications of carpenter ant infestation are:
- the presence of sawdust extruding from wooden structural components
- clicking or rustling sounds emanating from walls, ceilings and floors
- carpenter ants carrying food or their larvae into the structure
If you suspect nesting activity inside, try to determine where the ants are coming from. The more observant you are the more likely the nest or nests will be found. Professional assistance may be required.
Call 604 885 1976 for more information on Carpenter Ants
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