How much do you know about carpenter ants? You may be surprised! Here are several interesting facts about these common pests:
- Carpenter ant nests are generally found in wood, with complex tunnels and hollow spaces making up their living area.
- Carpenter ants are one of the largest ant species and their jaws are extremely strong. In fact, they can lift up to seven times their weight!
- Certain parts of a house, such as around and under windows, roof eaves, decks and porches, are more likely to be infested by carpenter ants because these areas are most vulnerable to moisture.
- Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants do not actually eat wood, as they are unable to digest cellulose. They only create tunnels and nests within it.
- Carpenter ants will also leave behind a sawdust-like substance called frass. Whereas frass sometimes refers to insect waste, in the case of carpenter ants it refers to the wood shavings they leave behind.
- The queen can influence the behavior of the workers by releasing pheromones. She can excite them or calm them as needed.
- Some Malaysian carpenter ant species make the ultimate sacrifice to defend against attackers. They can explode their bodies, spraying a sticky and caustic fluid from inside a special jaw-to-abdomen-length gland, which immobilizes the enemy.
If you would like to learn about carpenter ant control for your home or business, please contact us for a free inspection. We offer residential pest control and commercial pest control for the greater Capital District area including Albany, Schenectady, Saratoga and Rensselaer Counties.