There are a lot of different kinds of ants, and each one has its own traits and behaviours. One of the most important things for homes to know is the difference between carpenter ants and other black ants. Both can get into your home, but they are different in important ways that you need to know about for effective pest control.
Qualities of the body:
- Worker ants of the species Carpenter are some of the biggest ants. They are 6 to 12 millimetres long. Most kinds are black, but some can be reddish brown or all black. One important trait is that they have a divided body and a single, tight waist.
- Other Black Ants: Other types of ants, like stinky house ants and sidewalk ants, can also be black. These ants are usually between 1.5 and 4 millimetres long, which is shorter than carpenter ants.
How animals live and behave:
- Carpenter Ants: Simply put, carpenter ants know how to work with wood well. To make their nests, they dig galleries and tunnels in wood, which often damages the structure of homes. Sticky bits that look like sawdust (called “frass”) or holes in wood buildings are sure signs of carpenter ants.
- Not all black ants are the same. Some types, like odorous house ants and pavement ants, build their nests in the ground, under rocks, or in wall gaps instead of wood. They might look around your kitchen for sweets, meats, or greasy foods. They don’t dig through wood like carpenter ants do.
Setup of the colony:
- Carpenter Ants: Carpenter ant colonies can be very big, with thousands of workers and many smaller nests spread out around the main colony. In these groups, the queen usually lives in the main nest, which is usually outside.
- While some black ants live outside, most black ants that live inside have smaller groups. Like carpenter ants, these groups are not as likely to damage buildings.
Diet:
- Carpenter Ants: These ants are known for eating a lot of different things. Some of the things they eat are insects, aphid honeydew, and other small arthropods. They do, however, look for food scraps inside houses, which can cause infestations inside.
- Other Black Ants: Odorous house ants and other ants are known to be very interested in sweet things. They often look for food near sweet spills in kitchens. Different types of black ants may like different foods, but sweet things are usually a good way to get them to come closer.
Protective Steps:
- Identification: It’s important to know exactly what kind of ants you have. You can do this by looking at the area or by talking to a professional pest control service. To treat an animal effectively, you need to know what type it is.
- Check: To tell carpenter ants from other black ants, look for frass or broken wood. Carpenter ants leave a trail of loose wood chips, and they usually build their nests in wood that is rotted or damaged by water.
- Keep them out: If your home’s base has any cracks or holes, seal them up. This will keep ants out. To keep different kinds of ants away, keep food sealed and areas clean.
- Professional Pest Control: If you think you have an ant problem or aren’t sure what kind of ants you have, you might want to hire a professional pest control service. Experts can correctly figure out what the problem is and apply the right answers.
Finally, many people may use the word “black ants” in a broad sense, but it’s important to tell the difference between carpenter ants and other black ant species for effective pest control. Knowing what they look like, how they act, and where they like to nest will help you get rid of pests and keep your home from getting damaged. For correct identification and treatment, if you’re not sure, talk to a professional pest control service.
Ant Control Bolton, A team of licensed, professional, trained, fully insured & equipped pest control specialists ready to take on any intrusive residential and commercial ant infestation.Call now and book a treatment: 647-578-7949