Ants

Carpenter Ants

If you’ve seen a large ant in your home, especially in the spring or fall, it is very likely that is a carpenter ant. If the ant has wings, there is very little doubt that it is a carpenter ant.

Carpenter ants are common across the U.S. and are the largest of all common ant species. However, size will vary, even within a single colony and type: worker ants can be 1/4 inch up to 5/8 inch. A colony’s queen can be as large as 1 inch in length. But carpenters do tend to be more similar in color than in size – with most being dark brown to black, with some having a reddish or yellowish hueOne of the most obvious signs of a carpenter ant infestation is the sighting of winged ants in the home. Although these ants can originate outside the home, if they find some nice, soft decaying wood in your home into which they can tunnel and begin to build a colony, they are likely to stay unless you rout them out!

If the flying ant is seen outdoors away from the home, particularly in moist or wooded areas, it may not be of significant concern. However, it is prudent to ensure any nests are well away from the home’s structure and to take precautions to keep the ant colony from expanding to the home.