Carpenter Ants

There are several species of carpenter ants that may be found infesting homes and other buildings. Normally workers are black or re and black in color and range in size from 3/8 to 1/2 inch. Winged queen ants may be as large as one inch. Size is not a reliable characteristic to identify carpenter ants.
Ants are divided into different castes, i.e. workers, queens, and males (figure 1). Some ants, including carpenter ants, have polymorphic workers, which mean that within one species the workers occur in different sizes. The best method to separate carpenter ants from other ants is by the following characteristics: 1) a waist with one node (petiole) and 2) a thorax with an evenly rounded upper surface (figure 2).

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Figure 1 (on left side). Carpenter ant castes, from left to right: queen, winged male, major worker, minor worker.

Carpenter ants feed on sources of protein and sugar. Outdoors, carpenter ants feed on living and dead insects. Carpenter ants DO NOT eat wood. They remove wood as they create galleries and tunnels.
Most foraging is done at night between sunset and midnight during spring and summer months. Sometimes workers travel up to 100 yards from a nest in search of food.
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Carpenter ants nest in moist wood including rotting trees, tree roots, tree stumps, and logs or boards lying on or buried in the ground. They can also nest in moist or decayed wood inside buildings. Wood decay may be caused by exposure to leaks, condensation, or poor air circulation. Nests have been found behind bathroom tiles; around tubs, sinks, showers, and dishwashers; under roofing, in attic beams, and under subfloor insulation; and in hollow spaces such as doors, curtain rods, and wall voids. Carpenter ants may also nest in foam insulation.

Figure 2
Helpful Hints
A few steps that can be taken by homeowners to reduce the potential of future Carpenter Ant problems;
- Correct and eliminate moisture problems around the structure that may attract Carpenter Ants such as roof leaks, plumbing leaks, drainage problems etc…
- Trim back tree limbs and other vegetation touching the siding or roof. These may serve as “bridges” between Parent and satellite colonies
- Seal openings and cracks in the foundation, especially where utility pipes and wires enter from the outside
- Eliminate wood to ground contact. Soil, mulches and gardens against the structure may contribute to moist wood and attract ants
- Stack firewood away from the structure and elevate it off the ground
- Inspect your property regularly. Be aware the potential for Carpenter Ants is always present.
- Seek Professional assistance and a Pest Prevention Plan


Mice

The House Mouse is remarkably well-adapted for living year-round in homes, food establishments and other structures. Homeowners and cottagers are especially likely to notice mice during winter, following their fall migration indoors in search of warmth, food and shelter. Once mice become established inside a home, they can be extremely difficult to control. The Deer Mouse is also commonly found in this area. Deer Mice can be identified by their white underbelly.
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Mice are more common and cause significantly more damage than rats. Mice are prolific breeders, producing six to ten litters continuously throughout the year. Litter size: five to ten babies. Rebreeding time: Immediately. A female mouse can produce around forty babies per year.
The greatest economic loss from mice is not due to how much they eat, but what must be thrown out because of damage or contamination. Food, clothing, furniture, books and many other household items are contaminated by their droppings and urine, or damaged by their gnawing.
Mice are nocturnal creatures and are rarely seen by the homeowner. The most obvious indicators of their presence are droppings (1/8 to 1.2 inches long, dark and pointed at both ends), sounds of them running, gnawing or squeaking, or damage to stored food or materials for nesting. Highly curious, mice explore their territory daily, paying special attention to new items or physical changes in their home range. Unlike rats, mice show no aversion to new objects.
House mice gnaw through electrical wiring causing fires and failure of freezers, clothes dryers and other appliances.
Mice also can transmit diseases, most notably salmonellosis (bacterial food poisoning) when food is contaminated with infected rodent feces. Other diseases include rickettsialpox, lymphocytic choriomenigitis, leptospirisis, ratbite fever, tularemia, Lyme disease and dermatitis caused by the bites of mites from the mice. Hantavirus (pulmonary syndrome) is another danger becoming more common.
Helpful Hints

Rodents must have adequate food and shelter in order to live and thrive. Removal of these 2 factors is the best way to prevent and control rodent problems. It is important to include both the outside and inside of your home in your sanitation efforts.
- Clean areas under stoves, fridges and dishwashers. Keep counters clear of food
- Store dry food, pet food and birdseed in sealed containers
- Keep storage areas free of clutter
- Properly maintain landscaping – trim overgrown vegetation and shrubbery until ground underneath is visible
- Elevate lumber and firewood and store firewood away from the structure
- Seal all accessible entry holes in the structure both inside and outside. This can include pipe and wire openings, gaps and door seals and vents. Mice can enter through very small openings
- Inspect regularly and don’t let your guard down!!– Mice are always looking for a way in. Effective rodent management is an ongoing effort
- Seek Professional assistance and a Pest Prevention Plan