About Carpenter Ants

Colonies
Thousands of carpenter ants live together in a colony. Each colony has one, or even a few queens, which lay eggs. The queens live in damp wood such as a stump or where there is a leak in the house.

Once a carpenter ant colony is established, it is supported by one or more satellite colonies up to 300 feet away. Therefore, after a colony has been exterminated, the workers from the satellite colony will still return.

In many cases that satellite colony is big enough to sustain the colony until the treatment has worn off, making it quite possible for the nest to re-establish. This is why follow-up treatment is recommended.

Food
Carpenter ants eat other insects and honeydew from aphids that they find on trees and shrubs. Also, they’ll eat dead animals, sweet material from plants, hummingbird nectar and food debris found in kitchens. Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They forage around your home in search of food because it was built on their domain.

Signs of an Infestation in a Home
Carpenter ants may first be noticed as they wander through your house in the early spring. Later in the summer you may see them moving to and from your house as they gather food.

You may also notice piles of sawdust, insulation or other materials they dump out of their nest or you might hear the rustling sounds they make inside walls, ceilings, and floors.