Ants in the House: Are They Carpenter Ants or Black Ants?
Dealing with ants in your home is a common problem. Correctly identifying the type of ant is the first step in getting rid of them for good. This article breaks down the differences between carpenter ants and black ants, focusing on their appearance, habits, and the kind of damage they can cause.
It’s important to know which type of ant you’re dealing with because carpenter ants can cause serious structural damage to your home. Black ants, on the other hand, are usually just a nuisance.
In this article, we’ll cover:
- How to tell carpenter ants and black ants apart
- Where they live and what they eat
- Their behavior
- The damage they can cause
- How to prevent them from entering your home
- How to control an ant infestation
Read on to learn more about black ants vs carpenter ants and how to protect your home.
Carpenter Ants vs. Black Ants: What are the differences?
Carpenter ants and black ants might both be small and dark, but they’re very different insects with different habits. Here’s how to tell them apart.
Physical Characteristics and Appearance
Carpenter Ants
- Size: Carpenter ants are bigger than black ants, measuring from ¼ inch to ½ inch in length.
- Color: They’re often black, but they can also be reddish or yellowish.
- Body Shape: If you look closely, you’ll see that carpenter ants have a smoothly rounded thorax.
- Waist: You may also notice just one node (petiole) between their thorax and abdomen.
Black Ants
Black ants can refer to several species, including the little black ant.
- Size: Black ants are quite small, measuring from 1/16 inch to 1/8 inch long.
- Color: They’re usually black.
- Body Shape: Black ants may have a more uneven thorax than carpenter ants.
- Waist: Black ants may have one or two nodes (petioles) between the thorax and abdomen.
Distinguishing features
The easiest way to tell the difference between carpenter ants and black ants is to look at their size. If it’s a larger ant, it’s probably a carpenter ant. If it’s a smaller ant, it’s probably a black ant.
If you can get close enough to inspect the ant’s body, you can also look at the shape of its thorax and count the nodes at its waist.
Habitat and Nesting Preferences: Where They Call Home
When it comes to choosing a place to call home, carpenter ants and black ants have very different tastes.
Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are gourmands for damp or decaying wood. They don’t actually eat the wood; they just excavate it to make nests. You’ll often find these ants nesting in tree stumps, logs, and, unfortunately, the structural wood in our homes.
Carpenter ants can also set up satellite colonies quite a distance from the main nest—sometimes as far as 300 feet away. These satellite colonies are often tucked away in walls, under insulation, or in other protected areas.
Black Ants
Black ants are far more adaptable when it comes to nesting. They’re happy to set up shop in soil, under rocks, in wall voids, or under pavement. They’re also often found nesting near food sources, which makes sense.
Black ant colonies tend to be smaller than carpenter ant colonies, typically ranging from 2,000 to 3,000 workers.
Behavioral Differences: Habits and Activity
Carpenter ants and black ants also differ in their feeding habits and activity patterns.
Feeding Habits and Diet
Carpenter ants are fond of honeydew, plant sap, and other insects. They’ll also happily munch on sweets, meats, and fats they find in people food. It’s important to note that even though carpenter ants tunnel through wood, they don’t actually eat it.
Black ants, on the other hand, are omnivores that eat a wide variety of foods, including sweets, grease, and other insects. They’re commonly spotted foraging for food in kitchens and pantries.
Activity Patterns
Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal, so they’re most active in the evening and at night. However, you might still see them foraging during the day, particularly near their nests.
Black ants are diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day. They often follow pheromone trails, which is why you might see a line of them marching toward a food source.
Damage and Signs of Infestation: Spotting the Problem
Both carpenter ants and black ants can be a nuisance, but the types of damage they cause and the signs they leave behind are quite different.
Carpenter Ant Damage
Carpenter ants are notorious for causing structural damage. They don’t eat wood like termites; instead, they excavate it to create nests. These nests consist of smooth, clean tunnels inside the wood. Over time, this excavation can weaken wooden structures, potentially leading to costly repairs.
Here are some signs that carpenter ants may have taken up residence in your home:
- Frass: This sawdust-like material is actually waste and wood shavings that the ants kick out of their nests. Finding piles of frass near wooden structures is a telltale sign.
- Hollow-sounding wood: If you tap on wood and it sounds hollow, carpenter ants may be hollowing it out from the inside.
- Swarmers: Seeing winged ants (swarmers) inside your home, especially in the spring, indicates a mature colony is trying to reproduce and spread.
Black Ant Infestation Indicators
Black ants, on the other hand, don’t typically cause structural damage. Their main impact is through contamination and annoyance.
Signs of a black ant infestation include:
- Contaminated food: Black ants will invade your pantry and kitchen in search of food, potentially carrying bacteria and spreading diseases.
- Visible trails of ants: Black ants leave pheromone trails to guide other ants to food sources. Seeing lines of ants marching to and from food is a clear indicator.
- Nests: You might find black ant nests in walls, under floors, or outdoors in the yard.
Prevention and Control Methods: Taking Action
Whether you’re battling odorous house ants or suspect you have a carpenter ant problem, there are steps you can take to reduce their numbers. Here are a few strategies:
Natural remedies
- Diatomaceous earth. This natural powder can dehydrate insects. To use it, sprinkle it around ant trails and nesting sites.
- Vinegar. Ants hate vinegar, so it’s a natural repellent that can disrupt their trails. Mix vinegar with water and spray it on surfaces where you see ants.
- Borax and sugar mixture. Borax is toxic to ants, but sugar attracts them. Mix the two and put it near where you see ants traveling.
Environmentally friendly pest control
A few simple changes can go a long way toward keeping ants out of your house.
- Eliminate food and water sources. Store food in airtight containers and promptly clean up spills. Fix any leaks and eliminate any standing water in or around your home.
- Seal entry points. Caulk any cracks and crevices in your walls and foundation. Install door sweeps and window screens to prevent ants from getting inside.
- Use ant baits strategically. Baits contain slow-acting poisons that the ants carry back to the colony, poisoning other ants.
When to call professional pest control: Knowing your limits
So, you’ve tried the vinegar, the diatomaceous earth, maybe even some over-the-counter sprays. When is it time to admit defeat and call in the pros?
Here are some scenarios:
- Persistent Infestations: If the ants just keep coming back, despite your best efforts.
- Structural Damage Concerns: Carpenter ants can cause serious damage to your home’s structure. If you suspect carpenter ants, don’t wait. Repairs can cost $3,000 to $7,000.
- Large Colony Size: Are you dealing with what looks like an army of ants? Colonies can range from 10,000 to 50,000 ants.
- Health and Safety: Have kids or pets? You might not want to risk them getting into chemical treatments.
- Prevention: Want to make sure the ants don’t come back? A professional can put preventative measures in place for long-term control. Quarterly pest control plans can save you money by preventing extensive damage.
In Conclusion
Carpenter ants and black ants are common household pests, but they differ significantly in their behavior and the damage they can cause. Carpenter ants are notorious for excavating wood to build their nests, which can compromise the structural integrity of your home. Black ants, on the other hand, are more of a nuisance, typically foraging for food and not causing significant damage.
Knowing the difference between these ant species is crucial for effective pest control. Early identification and timely intervention are key to preventing extensive damage from carpenter ants.
Taking preventative measures, such as sealing cracks and crevices, reducing moisture, and storing food properly, can help deter both types of ants. However, for persistent infestations or if you suspect structural damage, it’s best to consult a pest control professional.
By understanding the habits and behaviors of carpenter ants and black ants, you can take proactive steps to protect your home and maintain a pest-free environment.