Pest Control CT: Carpenter Ants in Winter
Pest Control CT Carpenter Ants. What happens to carpenter ants in Connecticut in the winter season? As seasonal temperatures decline, carpenter ants produce an alcohol called Glycerol that prevents ice crystals from forming within their bodies. Shortly after the first frost, colonies gather together in the nest area in a tight group, with the queen ant in the center of the cluster.
Once “asleep”, the colony does not feed or drink until spring. Utilizing fats stored within their bodies during the fall, the minimal requirements for winter survival are met. With stable winter temperatures, the carpenter ant colony will remain in this dormant state.
Nest locations vary greatly. Dead trees, hollow spaces in living trees, logs, and stumps are places where carpenter ants will make nests. Some nests have galleries that extend far below the surface of the soil. Carpenter ants also make nests in homes, sometimes causing extensive local damage. Most nests begin in an area of decaying wood that gets wet.
Queen ants in CT will chew off their wings after mating and search out a suitable place to start a colony. The small initial chamber will hold the first eggs and minor workers who begin to form the new colony. When a colony is first starting there are very few, small workers. Over time, if things go well, the colony will find a suitable nest site and begin work on the nest.
In Connecticut, it takes carpenter ant colonies from 3-6 years to reach reproductive maturity. Mature colonies will swarm once or twice a year in warm weather, releasing the reproductive’s. Carpenter ant colonies can live for more than 15 years. Most mature nests in CT will have more than 2500 ants. Large, successful colonies can have huge numbers of ants.
As the colony grows, different castes of workers are produced, along with future queens and smaller, wasp-like males. The reproductive forms do not benefit the colony itself but leave the nest and continue the species. Large winged females may be seen flying at night throughout CT, attracted to lights or walking along the ground searching for mates and places to hide and form a new nest. Wandering queen ants may be found in homes and most will die.
If you suspect carpenter ants are nesting in your house call your CT Pest Control Specialist for help.
Call us today 888-558-1574.
