Carpenter ants are a common pest in many households. They are often mistaken for termites because of their tendency to damage wood structures. However, carpenter ants do not eat wood. Understanding their dietary preferences is key to effectively controlling an infestation and preventing potential damage to your property. This article will explore what carpenter ants eat, their feeding habits, and practical steps to manage and prevent carpenter ant infestations.
What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?
Carpenter ants are omnivorous. Their diet primarily consists of proteins and sugars, though they are opportunistic feeders that will adapt to whatever is available. Protein is particularly important for the colony, especially for the larvae, while sugars provide adult ants with the energy they need to forage.
Proteins in the form of dead insects or other small animals are a primary food source for carpenter ants. They may hunt live insects or scavenge dead ones. In homes, they are often drawn to pet food, especially dry kibble, which is rich in protein and fat.
Sugary substances are another major attraction for carpenter ants. Outdoors, they consume honeydew, a sweet substance secreted by aphids and other plant-sucking insects. Indoors, carpenter ants are drawn to any sweet food, such as syrups, fruit juices, or spilt sugar.
In addition to proteins and sugars, carpenter ants may feed on fungal growths and rotting plant materials. This usually happens in environments where there is high moisture or decaying organic matter. However, this type of feeding is less common in homes and more typical of carpenter ants living in forested areas.
Do Carpenter Ants Eat Wood?
One of the biggest misconceptions about carpenter ants is that they eat wood. In reality, carpenter ants do not consume wood; instead, they excavate it to create nests or galleries where they live. This behaviour can result in significant structural damage over time if left unchecked, but it’s important to understand that the ants are not feeding on the wood itself. The wood shavings they produce, often found in small piles around their nest entrances, resemble fine sawdust and are a tell-tale sign of a carpenter ant infestation.
Carpenter ants prefer nesting in damp or rotting wood, as it is easier for them to tunnel through. Therefore, they are more likely to establish nests in wood that has been weakened by moisture or decay. This makes homes with leaky roofs, damp basements, or other sources of moisture particularly vulnerable.
How Carpenter Ants Forage for Food
Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal, doing the bulk of their foraging at night. They can travel considerable distances from their nests—sometimes up to 100 yards—to search for food. Their foraging behaviour is highly organized; they follow chemical trails laid down by scout ants, which leads them to food sources.
Once a carpenter ant finds food, it brings some back to the nest. Here, the food is shared with the rest of the colony through a process called trophallaxis, where ants regurgitate food for the larvae and other ants. This sharing process allows the entire colony to benefit from the efforts of individual foragers, making carpenter ants highly efficient when it comes to food gathering.
Common Food for Carpenter Ants Indoors – Outdoors
Indoors, carpenter ants are most likely to be found foraging in kitchens, pantries, or any area where food is stored or prepared. They are attracted to sugary substances like spilt syrup, fruit juices, and even sweet baked goods. Leftover food or pet food left out overnight is another common target. They can also be drawn to moist, decaying foodstuffs, especially in areas with poor sanitation or leaky plumbing.
Outdoors and carpenter ants rely on a wide range of food sources. Insects make up a large part of their diet, with ants often hunting for small creatures like aphids or collecting dead insects to bring back to the nest. They are also drawn to nectar from flowers and the honeydew produced by aphids. Carpenter ants that live in wooded areas may consume small quantities of fungi or plant material, especially if the environment is damp.
The Importance of Eliminating Food Sources
Controlling a carpenter ant infestation requires more than just treating the nest—you need to eliminate the food sources that attract them. One of the most effective ways to reduce the chances of an infestation is by keeping your home clean and free of food debris. Spills, especially sugary liquids, should be cleaned up immediately, and food should be stored in sealed containers to prevent ants from gaining access.
If you have pets, make sure their food is stored properly and that bowls are cleaned regularly. Carpenter ants are particularly attracted to pet food, which is high in protein and fat. Regularly sweeping and vacuuming can also help remove food crumbs and other potential attractants.
Outdoors, it’s important to remove or manage any sources of decaying wood, as this is where carpenter ants are most likely to establish nests. Keeping trees and shrubs well-trimmed and ensuring that soil is treated or removed can help prevent an infestation.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Small piles of sawdust-like debris near wood structures are a very common sign of carpenter ant infestation. These are the wood shavings that carpenter ants produce when excavating their galleries. Another sign is the appearance of winged ants, especially indoors, which typically occurs when a colony matures and begins to reproduce.
You may also hear faint rustling noises coming from within walls or wooden beams, especially at night when the ants are most active. If you see carpenter ants foraging inside your home, particularly in kitchens or bathrooms, this could be a sign that a nest is nearby.
Dealing with a Carpenter Ant Infestation
If you suspect you have a carpenter’s problem, it’s important to act quickly to prevent further damage. Identifying and removing food sources is a crucial first step, but professional help may be needed to eliminate the colony itself. Carpenter ants often nest in hidden or hard-to-reach areas, such as inside walls or under floors, making them difficult to remove without specialized equipment and expertise.
