Knowing when carpenter ants are most active is key to preventing an infestation. It’s essential to act promptly when any sign of carpenter ants is detected, as these pests can cause extensive damage to your home.
This article will provide an overview of carpenter ant activity and what you can do to protect your home.
What Time of Year Are Carpenter Ants Most Active?
Carpenter ants are active year-round, but you’ll start to see them more prominently during certain times of the year.
Springtime is when you’ll notice the most activity, as a mature carpenter ant colony consists of carpenter ants swarms and spreading to create new nesting grounds. This is a sign that the carpenter ant colony is growing, and they will start to enter your home in search of food.
Summer: Prime Time for Carpenter Ants
As summer rolls in, so does prime time for carpenter ants. They start to become more and more active, foraging for food in your home and building new nests within the walls.
You may also notice little piles of sawdust near baseboards and window sills as they’ve chewed through the wood in your home.
Fall: Get Ready for Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants will remain active in the fall as they busily work to prepare for the upcoming winter. Carpenter ant colonies may expand even further and start to look for food sources to store up for the colder months.
They are likely to start moving their nests closer and closer to the interior of your home, causing damage to the walls.
Winter: Carpenter Ants in Hibernation
While you’ll see less activity from carpenter ants in the winter, they’re still around and working. Ants won’t actually go into hibernation, but their activity will decrease as food sources become scarce, and they huddle up to keep warm.
This means managing carpenter ants’ destruction becomes easier. This is the perfect time to take steps toward pest control, such as sealing up any entry points. Carpenter ant nests consist of tunnels that you should be able to obstruct.
See Where Do Carpenter Ants Go In The Winter?
Spring: Start of a New Season
Carpenter ants become more active in the spring as they look for food sources and create new nests. Carpenter ant nests hold large numbers, attempting to expand their colonies into your home.
To avoid a carpenter ant infestation, it’s best to take preventative measures before the activity peaks in the spring.
What Time of Day Are Carpenter Ants Most Active?
They are active for the entire day, but carpenter ants vary considerably in their activity levels and may change depending on various factors. Knowing when carpenter ants are most active can help determine when to take action against an infestation.
Daytime Activity
When it comes to carpenter ants, daytime activity is heavily dependent on the weather. On hot summer days, carpenter ants will be in action during the early morning and late afternoon hours when the temperature is cooler.
During those times of day, one of the carpenter ant warning signs is you can see them swarming around the light sources in your home or searching for food.
Night Time Activity
Carpenter ants are nocturnal, so you can expect to see them roaming about at night. You can see them foraging for food or expanding their nesting sites after dark during the summer months. They are more active during the full moon when they can use the extra light to see better.
What Are the Signs of an Active Carpenter Ant Infestation?
The most common sign of an active carpenter ant infestation is the presence of large, black ants in your home.
You may also see sawdust-like debris from their tunnels or hear a faint rustling sound coming from walls and ceilings. A carpenter ant infestation can also produce an unpleasant smell from their nests.
Other Factors That Influence Carpenter Ant Activity
Carpenter ants are an unpleasant reality for many homeowners. To prevent the destruction caused by these pests, it’s important to understand how and when they operate.
Weather
Environmental conditions, including temperature and humidity, can impact carpenter ant activity. Hot, humid weather is ideal for these cold-blooded critters, who need a warm environment to thrive.
Cold temperatures can slow carpenter ant activity, making it too difficult to collect food.
Areas that are damp or have poor ventilation, such as attics and crawl spaces, are more likely to attract carpenter ants. Also, homes with wood sources near the foundation are more likely to see carpenter ant activity.
Food Sources
Carpenter ants require a constant food source, as they eat plant and insect material. If there is plenty of food available, carpenter ants will be more likely to cause damage.
Carpenter ants are attracted to sweets, so they will often search for food sources in the form of sugary substances, such as honeydew from aphids or fruit juices. They are also attracted to proteins and fats, so keep pet food and other sources of protein out of reach.
Tips To Protect Your Home from Carpenter Ants
The ideal way to protect your property is to take preventative measures before their activity peaks in the spring. Here are some steps you can take to keep carpenter ants away:
1. Reduce Moisture
Carpenter ants thrive in moist environments, so you must reduce the amount of moisture in and around your home. Make sure to use a dehumidifier, fix leaky pipes or faucets, and keep gutters and downspouts clear of debris.
2. Seal Cracks and Openings
Seal up any cracks or openings that can provide an entry point for carpenter ants. This includes holes in walls, window and door frames, attics, and crawl spaces.
3. Remove Attractive Food Sources
Remove any sources of food that are attractive to carpenter ants, such as sugary substances and pet food. Also, store food in airtight containers and clean up any spills or crumbs.
4. Talk To a Professional
If you suspect an infestation or want extra help protecting your home, contact a professional pest control company to save yourself from the destruction ants can cause.
See our complete guide on How To Prevent Carpenter Ants
Final Thoughts
Understanding when carpenter ants are most active and what affects their functionality can help you protect your home from these destructive pests. If proper preventative measures are taken, you can significantly reduce the chance of an infestation.
Contact a professional pest control company for advice and assistance if you suspect an active infestation.
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