"Whatever The Pest Call The Pro!"

"Whatever The Pest Call The Pro!"

Vermont, USA

Ants

This is a Carpenter Ant queen  we captured from a mature nest. In 48 hours she laid over 100 eggs. The eggs are all the specks seen here.

This is Carpenter Ant damage to wood and rigid foam board. Notice the smooth and clean appearance of the galleries chewed into the wood.

Carpenter Ant Description

 

The Black Carpenter Ant (or Pennsylvania Carpenter Ant) is the most common in the eastern states. Other species include the rust colored or New York Carpenter Ant, these have a hint of red on their midsection.  They vary in size from 1/4” to 5/8” or more in length.  These ants are able to withstand cold because they generate glycerol in their bodies whenever the temperature falls below a certain point.  These aggressive ants are among the largest ants found invading homes for foraging and nest building purposes.  They typically dwell in and excavate wood, from decayed wood to sound wood.  A typical colony may contain approximately 2,500 workers, a single queen and some reproductive males.  It takes three to six years before they produce reproductive ants and swarm.  They may invade a home and not be noticed for years, while they chew out an intricate system of galleries.  Workers often make slit-like openings through the surface of infested wood and through these openings expel their borings, which accumulate beneath in characteristic piles of fibrous sawdust called frass.  The main colony affecting a home may be located inside or outside.  Inside the home, numerous satellite colonies will nest in a variety of voids and sites.  These may include wall voids, behind dishwashers, in both attics and crawlspaces, under cabinets, in floor joists, ceilings, hollow doors and man other places.  The colony will continue to develop causing extensive structural damage unless eliminated.  If Carpenter Ants are seen inside a structure, even if only for a 2-3 week period, it is usually an indication that a colony or satellite nest exists within the structure.

Our Carpenter Ant treatment consists of interior and exterior control. Baiting, drilling wall voids and exterior applications are all used. In our opinion and experience exterior treatments are by far one of the most effective tools in a successful Carpenter Ant treatment. The ants will be foraging to and from the infested structure and must cross the insecticidal barrier. In the process the active ingredient will adhere to the ants. Once back in the colony they will infect other ants through feeding and contact. Within several days of application the activity will change and ants will begin dying. Dead ants are just another food source for them and they will begin feeding on the dead, and contacting the pesticide. Within a month the Carpenter Ant nest or nests will be eliminated.

 

We have a SIX month guarantee on our Carpenter Ant treatments.

For a detailed inspection and estimate please call today.

Other Ants

Pavement ants are a common problem we deal with. These ants may infest a home any time of year, they are often seen in kitchens around food. Small redish brown in color, and are typically called sand ants. These ants will also infest yards, sidewalks and driveways, with little sand hills being visible. Interior control consists of baiting and crack and crevice treatments. Exterior applications can be done to foundations and infested cracks in the driveway and sidewalk. We cannot treat the lawn, a lawn care company would have to do that.

Pharaoh ants, these ants are 1/16” long and gold in color. These ants may number over 10,000 in a colony, with multiple queens present. Care must be taken in treating, any pressure exerted upon the colony may force them to split into several separate colonies . Thorough long term baiting plans are often the most effective treatment.

Pharaoh Ant Colony

Pavement Ant

There are many other species of ants that we deal with on a regular basis.

As always, feel free to call our office to speak with us or to schedule a detailed

inspection and estimate.