Carpenter Ants

There are two common types of carpenter ant in B.C. The first, Camponotus modoc is a large black ant while the other is the Camponotus vicinus, a black ant with a reddish middle section. Both species vary in size, ranging in size from 4 mm to 12 mm long, and vary in colour. Two distinguishing features of the carpenter ant are that the worker ant has a bump between the middle section and the abdomen, and that the middle section is rounded when viewed on the side. Carpenter ant activity is often first noticed in late winter or early spring, as workers begin foraging for food. If a mature nest is present, a large number of winged reproductive (Alates) ants may be seen emerging into the home or building.

Problems with Carpenter Ants?

When they find carpenter ants, Victoria homeowners and businesses call on the expertise of Victoria Pest Control. We have nearly 30 years of experience in eliminating carpenter ants from inside walls, cracks, interior and exterior structures, as well as the many places carpenter ants tend to hide. For effective carpenter ant treatments, Victoria Pest Control can get the job done right!

Signs of Carpenter Ant Activity

• Finding piles of “frass,” soft and fine shavings of wood inside your home or business.
• Finding winged ants in your home in late winter, early spring.
• Finding carpenter ants inside your home throughout winter or early spring.
• Rustling or crackling sounds inside walls, could indicate a potential nest site.
• Trails of carpenter ants entering and exiting the exterior of the structure, carrying food into the structure.

Identification

The first step in any successful ant management program is to correctly identify the species involved. While we have many species of Carpenter Ants in BC, two of them are of significant structural concern along the south coast.

Camponotus modoc

Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Subfamily: Formicinae Genus: Camponotus Species: modoc

Description: Large, black head, black thorax, black abdomen, reddish legs, varied worker size (polymorphic). When viewed from the side (dorsal profile) the thorax is evenly rounded and smooth, and there is one node separating the thorax and abdomen.
Nest Size: Up to 50, 000
Monogyne: One queen per colony, located in parent nest. Can live for up to 25 years.
Colony Spatial Structure: Primarily polydomous, or multiple nest sites per colony. Parent colonies are often located in live or dead trees, tree stumps, wood piles, or landscape timbers. The queen, eggs, and early instar larvae are present in the parent colony. Numerous satellite colonies are constructed, where workers, later stage larvae and pupae are transported to for development. Rarely are parent colonies founded inside structures, as they require specific conditions for egg development. Rather, satellite colonies are common inside homes and other structures, where it is not uncommon to find multiple satellite nests, and potentially multiple nests from more than one colony. Satellite colonies can be constructed over 100 feet from the parent colony. C. modoc satellite nests do not contain functional queens, larvae and pupae are transported from the parent colony into the satellite nests. C. modoc has the potential to cause significant structural damage.

Camponotus vicinus

Order: Hymenoptera Family: Formicidae Subfamily: Formicinae Genus: Camponotus Species: vicinus

Description: Large, black head, red thorax, black abdomen, varied worker size (polymorphic). When viewed from the side (dorsal profile) the thorax is evenly rounded and smooth, and there is one node separating the thorax and abdomen.
Nest Size: Up to 100, 000
Polygyne: Multiple functioning queens per colony.
Colony Spatial Structure: Polydomous, or multiple nest sites per colony. C. vicinus colonies can become extremely large, and contain multiple queens, up to 40 in the parent colony. Like C. modoc, C. vicinus can construct multiple satellite nests, where mature larva, and pupa are transported to for development. Parent colonies are most often located outdoors, and satellite colonies are often found in insulated areas of crawlspaces, wall voids, attics, etc. While structural damage can still occur from C. vicinus, satellite nests are often found only in insulation. However, it is very common to find multiple nests, and have a very large number of ants infesting a structure and the surrounding areas.

Prevention

Reducing moisture and rotten wood in and around the home is a necessary step in reducing carpenter ant activity. Remove or repair damaged areas of the structure, including: rotting wood, leaking roofs, blocked gutters, rotting decks, inadequate ventilation in attics and crawlspaces, leaking plumbing, soil contact with wood parts of the structure, old firewood, rotting fence posts and landscaping wood, rotting trees. Vegetation should not be touching the structure and should be trimmed away from the building. Soil lines should be reduced 4-6 inches below siding, exposing the foundation. If you discover an ant problem, call us for carpenter ant treatments in Victoria.

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Behaviour

The modoc species is typically found throughout B.C. and the vicinus species is found in drier areas. The carpenter ant will chew through wood and create smooth tunnels, or galleries, which run with the grain of the wood. It does not eat the wood, and it seeks out damaged and decaying wood, and also other building materials such as foam insulation. The ant will forage for food at night along trails and through gaps in the structure. An ant colony will typically number 10,000 to 20,000, and will start swarming after 3 to 6 years.

The winged female ant or queen will nest and lay eggs which will become wingless worker ants, and the worker ants will take care of foraging, tunneling and caring for the new larvae. Carpenter ants will also create satellite nests in the structure or outdoors. Indicators of carpenter ant activity in the home are: sawdust falling out of cracks and crevices in the wall, and around electrical boxes; sawdust piles and ant wings and other insect parts in attics; rustling noises in the wall; foraging trails indoors; presence of a large number of ants indoors between January and April.

Prevention

Reducing moisture and rotten wood in and around the home is necessary to prevent carpenter ants from nesting the structure. Remove or repair damage to the structure, including: rotting wood, leaking roofs, blocked gutters, rotting decks, inadequate ventilation in attics and crawlspaces, leaking plumbing, soil contact with wood parts of the structure, old firewood, rotting fence posts and landscaping wood, rotting trees, vegetation touching the structure.

Control

Carpenter ant control requires a comprehensive and integrated approach. Consult a pest control professional to arrange for an estimate.