Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are fairly common in Kansas. They get their name because of their tendency to build their nests in wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually feed on wood, they just use it as a place to live. These are the largest ants in Kansas with adults ranging in size from ¼” for workers to ¾” for queen depending on the species of ant. They range in color from reddish brown to black with some species having a red front and a black rear. The easiest way to identify these ants is by the ring of tiny hairs at the tip of the abdomen. Carpenter ants will burrow into soft, moist wood to establish their nests.

They prefer wood that has already started to decay however they will also excavate into perfectly sound wood. In houses these ants build “galleries” to rear young. These galleries are formed without regard for the grain of the wood and tend to follow the softer parts of the wood. An indication you have carpenter ant issues is the saw dust they eject from their galleries. Houses near wooded areas are more likely to have issues with carpenter ants than those away from trees. In trees, carpenter ants are taking advantage of wood that has already started to decay. They tend to be a symptom of an already existing issue in a tree rather than being the cause of the damage.

In a home the first step to controlling the ants is finding their nest. The first places to inspect are areas that have been affected by water seepage such as window sills, roofs, porches, posts and columns along with rotten stumps, logs or trees nearby. Apply pyrethroid products directly to the nest according to the label requirements to eliminate the parent colony. It’s also recommended to apply spot treatments and an insecticide spray around the perimeter of buildings to prevent the infestation of the area by a new colony. Be sure to fix the issue that caused the rotten or damp wood as well.

Have questions? Contact our office where our Horticulture Extension Agent will assist you with questions.

Phone: (316) 321-9660

Email: callae@ksu.edu