PEST PROFILES: ANTS

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Carpenter ants Description: Black carpenter ants, are found primarily in outdoor wooded areas. Common indoor species have workers that have dull red-bodies with a black abdomen. Worker ants range in size from 1/4 - á inch. They can be distinguished from most other large ant species because the top of the thorax is evenly convex and bears no spines. Ants have elbowed antennae, and a narrow pedicel between the thorax and abdomen. They feed primarily on honeydew produced by aphids. Damage: Carpenter ants remove leaves for growing fungi in large underground colonies. Foliage can be stripped from plants in an area over an acre. Carpenter ants may also cause structure damage. Life cycle: Larvae are legless and pupate in cream / tan cocoons. Development from egg to worker ant occurs in about 2 months. Carpenter ants are social insects and live in colonies made of different forms of ants or "castes". Mature colonies contain winged male and female reproductives, sterile female workers of various sizes, and a wingless 9/16-inch long queen. Winged forms swarm during May through late July.