The carpenter ant (Camponotus spp.) hollows out wood to
create nests called galleries. Though they do not eat the wood, the
boring activity can lead to
structural damage in wood components. The
by-product of the boring is called frass and looks similar to sawdust
or pencil shavings. Frass is the most common evidence of carpenter ant
infestation.
Carpenter ants are similar in appearance to the
common pavement ants, but can be distinguished by certain physical
characteristics. The carpenter ant has a single pinched node between the
abdomen and the thorax, while most ants have a dual node. In addition, the
profile of the section from the abdomen to the head is almost perfectly
rounded. Carpenter ants are especially common in the Northwest and the
Pacific Northwest.
Treatment
The most thorough and effective way to treat a
carpenter ant infestation is to locate the nest (colony) or nests and
directly apply an appropriate pesticide. This may involve drilling into wood
member and using pressure injection. It may also include drilling into the
wall voids and on top of window sills and applying a dust-like pesticide.
Another strategy involves laying out poison baits for the worker ants to
take back to the nest(s). To prevent infestation, barrier treatments and
removal of conducive conditions is recommended.
