Florida Carpenter Ants

Turns out, Carpenter Ants care

Carpenter ants are a common sight in Florida, and while they don’t eat wood like termites, their burrowing habits can cause structural damage. Here at Pest & Lawn Organic Guard, we offer safe and effective carpenter ant control solutions for Brevard and Indian River Counties.

But before we delve into solutions, let’s explore some incredible things these social insects are capable of!

The Shocking Selflessness of Carpenter Ants

A recent study published in 2024 revealed a remarkable form of altruism in Florida carpenter ants. Researchers observed that ants with injured legs would have their wounds cleaned by nest mates.

However, for injuries on the lower leg, a surprising behavior emerged: nest mates would actually amputate the injured limb!

This self-sacrifice may seem extreme, but the study found it significantly increased the ant’s survival rate. By removing the injured leg, the risk of infection spreading throughout the body was greatly reduced. Amazingly, this amputation only proved beneficial if performed immediately after the injury, suggesting the ants understand the urgency of preventing infection.

More Than Just Amputations: A Complex Social Network

The amputation study highlights the complex social structure of carpenter ant colonies. Nestmates work together to ensure the colony’s survival, exhibiting a level of cooperation rarely seen in the insect world. This highlights the importance of eliminating the entire nest, not just individual ants, when dealing with carpenter ant infestations.

Keeping Your Home Safe from Carpenter Ants

While carpenter ants demonstrate impressive social behavior, their presence in your home can be unwelcome. Here at Pest & Lawn Organic Guard, we understand the importance of protecting your property. Our experienced technicians can identify and eliminate carpenter ant infestations using safe and effective methods.

We offer a free consultation to assess your situation and develop a customized treatment plan. Our focus is on long-term solutions that keep your home free of carpenter ants while prioritizing the safety of your family and pets.

Telling Swarmers Apart: Carpenter Ants vs. Termites

While spotting these might send shivers down your spine, identifying the culprit can help you determine the right course of action. The good news is that there are key differences between swarming carpenter ants and termite swarmers, despite their seemingly similar appearance.

First, look at their size and shape. Carpenter ant swarmers are slightly larger than worker ants, with a distinct “pinched waist” separating their body sections. In contrast, termite swarmers have a more uniform body shape, lacking a pronounced waist and similar in size to worker ants. Next, check their wings. Carpenter ant swarmers have two wing pairs nearly equal in size, with a slight overlap over the body. Termite swarmers, on the other hand, boast wings that are significantly longer than their bodies, often appearing almost twice the body length. Antennae are another giveaway. Carpenter ant swarmers have elbowed antennae, while termite swarmers have straight antennae that resemble beads on a string.

Finally, if you find piles of sawdust-like material (frass) near suspected entry points, that’s a sign of carpenter ant swarmers, as they don’t shed their wings deliberately. Termite swarmers, however, shed their wings shortly after swarming, so look for piles of shed wings around windows, doors, or near potential nesting sites. The size difference is key here – termite wings will be noticeably larger than those shed by an ant.

How Do I Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants?

Don’t wait until a carpenter ant infestation becomes a major problem. Contact Pest & Lawn Organic Guard today! We’ll eliminate your carpenter ant troubles.. Call us at (321) 704-0434 or schedule an appointment online for a free consultation.

FAQ’s; Carpenter Ants

Say Bye To Your Carpenter Ants Today!