Carpenter Ant

Carpenter Ant Identification in Madison, WI

Carpenter ants belong to the genus Camponotus, which includes over 1,000 species worldwide. The ones that we deal with in Madison, Wisconsin are mostly all black in color (Pennsylvanicus) and they vary in size from 6mm to 20mm (1/4 to 3/4 inch), depending on their caste and role in the colony.

One of the easiest ways to identify Wisconsin’s most common carpenter ants are by looking at their antenna, which has 12 segments and no bulb or club at the end. They also have an elbow-like bend in their antenna, which distinguishes them from other ants. Another distinctive feature of carpenter ants is their rounded thorax, which has no spines. The thorax is the middle part of the ant’s body that connects the head and the abdomen. The abdomen has tiny golden yellow hairs and a waist with a single node (no stinger).

Reproduction

Carpenter ants have a complete metamorphosis, which means they go through four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The lifecycle takes about two months for the completion of the four stages.

The reproduction of carpenter ants occurs in late spring or early summer, depending on environmental factors. Male winged carpenter ants mate with winged females, who are also known as queens. Soon after mating, the females shed their wings and the males die. The female searches for a new site to build her colony, typically a small crack in a wooden structure. She closes herself inside a chamber and lays her first batch of eggs. She remains inside the chamber until her first batch of eggs becomes adult workers, who will then take over the tasks of feeding and caring for the queen and the larvae. During this time, the queen uses her stored fat reserves and wing muscles for nourishment.

A queen can live for many years but will not produce reproductive ants for 6-10 years. She will only lay 10-15 workers in her first year. The colony grows slowly at first, but then expands rapidly as more workers are produced. A typical colony has between 10,000 and 50,000 workers, but some colonies have as many as 100,000 workers.

In spring the queen emerges from hibernation and the workers begin gathering food for the queen and larvae and start excavating the wood. The colony also produces new reproductive queens and males at the end of the summer, who will swarm and leave the nest to start their own colonies.

Harborage

Carpenter ants prefer moist wood, but they can nest in hard solid wood as well. They do not eat wood, but they use their powerful mandibles to carve out tunnels and galleries where they live and raise their young. They also use wood shavings to seal off entrances and exits to their nest.

Carpenter ants can be found nesting in various places, such as trees, fences, homes, etc. They can also nest in foam and fiberglass insulation, which may make it difficult to locate their nest since they may be in areas that are hard to inspect.

Carpenter ants will follow a line from the nest to their food source, so try and watch where they are traveling. They are omnivorous and feed on a variety of substances, such as insects, honeydew and sweets.

Wisconsin Control Strategies

The best way to prevent and control carpenter ants is to eliminate their nesting sites and food sources. 

• Grind and cover stumps in the ground
• Remove any branches touching your home
• Replace any rotting wood in and around the structure
• Keep moisture in bathrooms to a minimum by keeping the fan on or using a dehumidifier
• Seal any cracks or gaps in the foundation or siding
• Store firewood away from the house and off the ground
• Clean up any spills or crumbs in the kitchen and pantry
• Trim any vegetation that may attract aphids or other insects

Fun Facts About Carpenter Ants

Here are some interesting facts about carpenter ants that you may not know:

• Carpenter ants will make cracking and popping noises in walls, which sounds like Rice Krispies in milk. This is caused by their mandibles scraping the wood or by their communication signals.
• Carpenter ants are most active at night, as they have many predators during the day, such as birds, spiders, and other insects.
• Carpenter ants can use a stethoscope and binoculars to help identify where the ants are located. A stethoscope can help you hear their noises inside the walls, and binoculars can help you spot their trails outside the house.

If you suspect that you have a carpenter ant infestation, you should contact Kwik Kill Pest Control as soon as possible. We will be able to inspect your property, identify the species and location of the carpenter ants, and apply the appropriate treatment methods to eliminate them. 

Kwik Kill Services to Control Carpenter Ants:

• Home Protection Program
• Insect & Rodent Combo Package
• Carpenter Ant Control

Additional Information:

https://entomology.ca.uky.edu/ef603
https://extension.umn.edu/insects-infest-homes/carpenter-ants
https://ohioline.osu.edu/factsheet/HYG-2063