If you’ve ever seen ants, you’ll know they all look the same from our heightened view. However, because carpenter ants Maine can damage the structural integrity of your home, it is worth knowing the difference between them and the less dangerous house ants and pavement ants.
What Do Carpenter Ants in Maine Look Like?
If you ever meet a carpenter ant, they can be different colors (black or red), but they have a few physical traits in common:
- Size: The workers are ¼ to ½ inch in size, with the queen measuring ¾ inch.
- Body Profile: Carpenter ants have even, smooth, arching profiles that descend until they reach the waist.
- Petiole: They have one node as their petiole (the small bump that connects the thorax and abdomen). The house ant’s node is hidden, and the pavement ant has two nodes.
- Coloration: The black ones are covered with yellowish or gray hairs, but their black color remains evident.
Now that we have first impressions out of the way, let’s talk about behavior.
Carpenter Ant Behavior in Maine
- Colony Behavior: A carpenter ant colony doesn’t always begin in wood, but they eventually finds themselves there. Although a nest can start under a stone, it will ultimately be moved into a fallen log, stump, or a hole in a tree. They prefer wood that has been softened by water damage! This is particularly common in homes located in Maine’s wooded areas, where moisture levels in the wood are higher due to humidity and rain.
- Woodworking: Carpenter ants Maine don’t eat wood like termites; they discard it as they work through the wood, dropping it out of their nest (appearing as fine sawdust to the human eye).
- Tunnels: Their tunnels produce very smooth sides, creating large brown-stained tunnels.
- Nests: Although they can live inside wall cavities, their parents usually nest outside, such as in a tree with a hollow center, a stump, or stacked firewood. The nest inside your home is most likely a “satellite” nest. Finding the queen in the parent nest is most effective for treatment.
- Diet: They eat other insects and spiders and forage for honeydew and juices from fruit. While indoors, they will often come out to eat meat, fruit juices, and sweets.
- Activity: They are most active at night and use trail pheromones to tell the other ants where they are going. A professional like Green Shield Pest Solutions is often able to identify these trails unless they are underground.
- Travel Distance: They can travel up to 100 yards from their nest. So, if you see one ant, it doesn’t necessarily mean a nest is nearby. If you see 5-10 ants routinely in the same spot, you may have a problem.
Why Does Green Shield Pest Solutions Treat Carpenter Ants Through the Winter?
Carpenter ants in Maine do not die in the winter and magically reappear in the spring. During winter, colonies survive by entering a form of hibernation known as diapause. The ant produces a chemical in its body that helps it resist freezing temperatures. Their nests are also located deep in the woods, which provides insulation from the Maine winter. Additionally, many ants can remain active on warmer winter days.
Green Shield’s goal is to break the carpenter ant life cycle, which means preventing them from surviving between treatments. Consistency is key when treating a carpenter ant infestation, and our Gardiner pest control services ensure long-term protection.
How to Fix the Problem with Carpenter Ants in Maine
First, you must determine if the nest is inside or outside the structure. More often than not, it is located outside in a fallen tree or stacked firewood. Interior nests can be difficult to spot, and while exterior nests are easy to find, they can often be far away from your home. Carpenter ants rarely thrive in dry places, which is why it is a good idea to look out for these issues around your home:
- Overflowing gutters
- Improper flashing around chimneys
- Holes in the roof
- Lack of ventilation anywhere moisture accumulates
- Improper attachments of wooden additions
- Anywhere water collects around your home, especially in areas such as porches, patios, and door sills.
- Leaky plumbing
If any of these issues are present on your property:
- Remove and replace infested wood.
- Stop future moisture from accumulating.
- Remove dead trees, stumps, and other wooden debris.
- In general, keep no wet wood within 100 feet of your property.
What Green Shield Does to Help with Carpenter Ant Control
There are several methods that can be more effective than a solid and consistent pest control Gardiner ME plan. Green Shield Pest Solutions is typically able to locate the parent nest, identify satellite nests, and treat accordingly. Dust, spray, or baits are often used on outside colonies, while a variety of family-friendly products can be used inside.
Thorough inspection is of the utmost importance, and follow-up is always necessary. Green Shield meticulously notes specific locations that require special attention, then provides honest advice to the customer on projects that need to be done to ensure the property remains carpenter ant-free with effective ant control.
Real Customer Story from Maine
Here’s what one of our satisfied customers, Donna Accettullo, had to say about her experience with Green Shield Pest Solutions:
“My technician, Joe, came within 24 hours to get rid of a big yellow jacket nest under my deck. He spent almost an hour in this hard-to-access location to totally eradicate the insects. He then checked my entire property for pests, cleared a wasp nest, and treated for ants. He left a buffer from chemicals around my vegetable gardens without me even having to ask. I am very satisfied with this company and am referring my neighbors to Green Shield. Thanks for doing a great job!”
— Donna Accettullo
Conclusion: Don’t Let Carpenter Ants in Maine Damage Your Home
Carpenter ants are a serious threat to the structure of your home, and recognizing the signs early can save you from costly repairs. Whether you’re dealing with a satellite nest inside or an exterior parent nest, it’s important to address the issue promptly. At Green Shield Pest Solutions, we specialize in identifying, treating, and preventing carpenter ants in Maine.
If you suspect a carpenter ant issue in your home or business, don’t hesitate to contact us. Our experienced technicians are ready to help you maintain a pest-free environment on your property with expert pest control Gardiner.
Call us today or reach out to Green Shield Pest Solutions here.