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 Pesticide Application
Consider the species when choosing
LARGE ANTS (1/2 Inch or Larger)
bait. Use baits with stomach poisons or
with insect growth regulators. Baits are
excellent in critical areas (e.g.,
computer or hospital rooms). Do not
spray or dust around baits. Never store
baits or bait materials where they can be
contaminated with any other odors
especially fumes of pesticides. Ants and
other insects can detect minute
amounts of foreign or repellant
chemicals.
Use crack and crevice treatment in areas
CARPENTER ANT CAMPONOTUS
where a nest is suspected, use dust in
There are many species of Carpenter ants in
wall voids; use canned pressurized
North America; few enter structures to forage; fewer
liquid pesticides with small diameter
nest in structures. But these two habits (foraging and
crack and crevice device. [Tubing can
nesting inside) coupled with their large size and
be obtained in long lengths and can be
vigorous activity make these invaders impossible to
threaded through construction elements
ignore. Two species claim the majority of attention:
to treat areas distant from the
the Black Carpenter ant of the eastern and southern
pressurized can.]
United States and the Western Carpenter ant, a
Apply wettable powder or micro-
particular problem in the Pacific northwest. As their
encapsulated spray formulations where
name implies, carpenter ants work in wood; they do
pesticides may be absorbed i n t o
not digest it.
surfaces.
Drill holes where practicable (e.g., false
floors in sink cabinets, window frames,
BLACK CARPENTER ANT
wall panel grooves, and other voids).
Camponotus pennsylvanicus
Use spot treatments when necessary but
be wary of repellant activity.
The workers range in size from l/4 inch to almost
Use granules and drenches with
l/2 inch with the queen being 3/4 inch. Outside
registered formulations outside.
workers can be confused with field ants (Formica)
Develop a specific pest management plan. Where
which do not enter structures. Carpenter ants have an
large outside areas need treatment (e.g., fire ant
even, smooth, arching profile beginning just behind
problems) do not treat as an extension of a yard
the head and descending to the waist, or petiole, which
problem. Consider spot treatments and perimeter
has one node. [Field ants and most other ants have
spraying carefully; drawbacks to these reactive
bumps or spines along the profile of the thorax,
treatments include:
particularly near the petiole.] The Black Carpenter
nest areas can be completely missed
ant's abdomen is covered with gray or yellowish hairs,
ants move to other areas of activity.
but the basic black color is still obvious. The head and
thorax is also black in the majority of individuals but
Follow-up
the sides of the thorax and part of the legs of a few
may be dull red. In the northern states where
Reinspect or contact clients with troublesome ant
subterranean termites begin to be relatively less
control problems within one week to 10 days
common than in the south, Carpenter ants become
depending on the control strategies (e.g, baits and
insect growth regulators (IGR) take longer than dusts
more obvious as structural pests.
A Carpenter ant colony begins in isolation, but
to show results). Remember, pesticide treatments can
not necessarily in wood. This first brood may be under
repel ants and make them active in other areas.
a stone, in a roll of tarpaper, or in innumerable other
Colonies with multiple queens may break up into
several colonies.
secretive spots, but the colony soon moves into wood
Module One, Chapter 3, Pg 4
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