If carpenter ants are your problem, Jim’s pest experts are the local specialists to call. Our techs servicing Adelaide and South Australia are experienced, fully trained, and insured. You can trust the Jim’s name to help you with any pest problem.
To get in touch with us, simply call 131 546 and our friendly staff will take your details.
Carpenter ants are interesting as most people don’t associate ants with wood destruction. Unlike termites who consume wood, these ants simply excavate it.
A large colony can cause significant damage if left unchecked.
In Adelaide these ants are not as common as in other states. However, you should still be on the lookout for them.
Our local technicians have been trained on how to identify these pests.
Carpenter ants – what do they feed on?
Most people would jump to the conclusion that carpenter ants feed on wood. However, this is incorrect.
There typical diet is a protein one. You will commonly find the scouring trees and gardens looking for any dead insects.
They will climb trees to search for Aphids as this is their preferred food. So, if you have an Aphid problem then they will help to control them.
If there is an abundant food source the colony can expand quickly.
Can carpenter ants do as much damage as termites?
The reason carpenter ants attack wood is completely different to termites. They will only mine timber to allow for the expansion of a nest.
Termites on the other hand consume wood for food. They will keep eating and devour homes to support their colony.
A termite colony numbers, can be between 400,000 to 500,000. Whereas an ant colony may only have 3,000 workers. If the optimal conditions are present this may grow to ten or fifteen thousand.
So just by the numbers they can’t cause as much damage as termites.
How to prevent an infestation
Preventing Carpenter ants is simple. Unlike termites who travel underground, these ants travel above ground.
They are easy to spot as they tend to build a grainy tube-like structure. This structure protects the ants as they go to and from the nests.
It is commonly mistaken for termites. If you are unsure of what it is, you can simply break open a small area of say 1-2 centimetres. Then observe what happens.
If it is ants, you will spot them tracking back and forth. It will take a long time for the workers to repair the damage.
Termites behave differently and some species will immediately charge to the area. They will quickly repair the damage and often this is done within half an hour.
To prevent the carpenter ants from accessing the nest a simple general pest treatment that breaks their access, is usually enough.
They can be persistent, so you may need to help from a professional like Jim’s Pest Control Adelaide.
Should I be concerned about these ants?
Yes, you should be concerned. If you have them, they should be treated. The reason for this is that they will cause damage to timbers.
If they damage a structural beam in your house or office the repair work could be quite expensive.
If you want a local pest control expert to help you with your ant, termite or pest control requirements, please call Jim’s on 131 546, or use the contact form here to get in touch.
