If you step outside your house at some point today and look down at the ground, you’re likely to see ants scurrying around. Most will be small and if you’re lucky you won’t see any of the large ones. That's because the big ones are carpenter ants and they can be very destructive if they get into your house. Are carpenter ants still active around New Jersey in late summer? They are, but it's not too late to do something about them.
Carpenter ants reproduce in the spring. If you've ever seen a giant ant with wings, you've seen a reproductive member of a carpenter ant colony. These ants mate, then begin a new colony nearby.
They stay busy all summer long, establishing their new colony and growing in numbers. If they remain outside, they'll become less and less active as summer turns to fall and fall to winter. However, if they've made their way inside, they can stay active all year, never slowing down or taking time off from destroying your house.
Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they chew through it to build tunnels and nests inside. Regardless of whether they eat it or not, the result is the same. As more and more ants dig ever growing tunnels through the wooden structures and beams in your house, the structural integrity becomes more and more compromised. Although it is a relatively slow process, carpenter ants can often go for months or years without being noticed, giving them plenty of time to wreak havoc in your home.
If you see carpenter ants in or around your home, it's essential to take immediate action. The sooner you eliminate them; the less damage they can cause. Arrow Pest Control can eliminate your carpenter ant problem and prevent future infestations from occurring—protecting your home both now and in the years to come. Contact us to learn more about our carpenter ant control services.