Carpenter Ants
Carpenter
ants are
found in and around homes, most species are black,
perhaps with some faintly grayish bands on the abdomen;
others may have some brown or reddish coloration along
with the black.
The carpenter ant's
diet includes a great variety of both animal and plant
foods. These ants will feed on other insects, both
living and dead, and nearly anything people eat.
Carpenter ants, will
establish nests in a number of different locations,
inside or around the house. Indoor nest may be found
in hollow doors, window sills, the substructure of
porches, roofs, behind baseboards, firewood, shingles,
or other natural hollow areas. Outdoor sites include
stumps, hollow logs, fence posts, or other similar
large pieces of wood.
Carpenter ants do
not use wood for food, but hollow it out for nesting.
These galleries are frequently hollowed in moist or
unsound wood, although carpenter ants can burrow in
sound wood.
Carpenter Bees
Carpenter
bees resemble large bumblebees, but have very different
nesting behavior. They bore long tunnels into wood
and divide there tunnels into cells where individual
larvae will develop. The typical carpenter bee gallery
has an entrance hole on the wood surface.
The gallery continues inward for a short distance
then turns sharply upward and runs in the same direction
as the grain of the wood. The entry hole is 1/2 inch
round.
Powderpost Beetles
The adults do very little
actual damage to wood, serving primarily as a reproductive
function. Powderpost beetles larvae cause millions
of dollars worth of damage in the United States each
year. Powderpost beetles infest flooring, studs, girders,
and other parts of buildings, lumber, crating, paneling,
furniture, tool handles, gunstocks and many other wood
articles. The exit hole is 1/32 - 1/16 inch round.
Old House Bore
Like
the Powderpost the adults do very little actual damage
to wood. The larvae of the Old House Bore feed on living
trees, logs, and seasoned wood. The adult will emerge
from the wood after it has incorporated into a structure.
They will not re-infest the wood because of its dryness,
but they are great concern to property owners who find
them or evidence of their activity. The exit hole is
1/4 to 3/8 inch oval.
