Biology of Carpenter Ants
Integrated pest control is the process which uses a greater understanding of pests and their natural habits to achieve better success in the control and prevention of infestations. Chemicals, once the mainstay of the pest control industry, are used as a last resort with an emphasis on using the least toxic versions first.
Part of the foundation of the integrated pest management system is gaining knowledge as to the specific life cycles, breeding habits, and habitats which pests need in order to survive and thrive. Through a knowledge of these factors we have a far better chance of targeting an effective pest control program towards certain species. In this article, we are going to take a look at the biology of the carpenter ant.
The carpenter ant in appearance
There are many different species of carpenter ant, but all are mainly black in coloration. They range from anywhere between 3/8 of an inch to just over an inch in length; all other features are typical to any ant.
Carpenter ant society
Like other species of ant, the carpenter ant depends on a thriving colony in order to survive. The ant responsible for producing the eggs in the colony and thus continuing the survival of the colony is the queen. Not only do queens lay eggs, but it is believed that they are responsible for directing the behavior and even the biology of the other members of the colony through pheromone control.
Most of the rest of the colony consists of female worker ants. These ants play a number of roles, including the hatching and rearing of young, building the nest up further, and the location and gathering of food. Once a scout ant finds a food source, workers will form a double line heading to and from the source and carrying the food along the way.
You might also see flying ants around your home and garden; these are males and females sent out to create new colonies. Often an outbreak of flying ants in the home is the first sign of an infestation.
Carpenter ant diet
Carpenter ants are true opportunists; they will eat anything that they can find. Naturally, they prefer other insects, but they are also very attracted to sugary substances.
An interesting fact about carpenter ants, especially as it pertains to pest control, is that they love aphids. Aphids secret a nectar called honeydew which the ants love. In order to get this nectar, carpenter ants will actually create and protect aphid colonies in a garden or on a tree.
Carpenter ant habitat
Aside from aphid encouragement, carpenter ants are a pest in the home because of the damage they cause to the appearance of walls and so on. It’s unlikely that an infestation will get to the point where it threatens the structure of a house, but in real estate appearance is everything and you don’t want a lot of honeycombed walls. The carpenter ants don’t eat the wood, they just carve it up to expand their nests. They prefer to inhabit isolated and humid space as can be found in between walls and in crawl spaces.