{"id":3634,"date":"2021-04-24T08:55:14","date_gmt":"2021-04-24T12:55:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.exterminateursassocies.com\/the-awakening-of-the-carpenter-ants-in-spring-2\/"},"modified":"2022-07-12T11:04:52","modified_gmt":"2022-07-12T15:04:52","slug":"the-awakening-of-the-carpenter-ants-in-spring-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.exterminateursassocies.com\/en\/the-awakening-of-the-carpenter-ants-in-spring-2\/","title":{"rendered":"The awakening of the carpenter ants in spring"},"content":{"rendered":"

The awakening of the carpenter ants in spring<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Carpenter ants are hymenopterous insects, generally black or red depending on the species, sometimes tinged with brown, the size of which varies from 6 to 12 mm. They live mainly in the trunks of dead trees but it is not uncommon to find them inside homes. Their presence is not without risk because they can weaken the wooden structures of the house such as the frame.<\/p>\n

In the spring, it is the mating period. <\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

This takes place in full flight, which is why, from the month of May, we can see swarms of flying ants moving in the sky. Let’s find out a little more about the life of these insects<\/p>\n

\"Queen<\/a>

Photo credit: Shutterstock<\/p><\/div>\n

What is their way of life?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Their habits<\/strong><\/h3>\n

They are insects that live in hierarchical society<\/strong> . Each colony consists of males, sterile workers and future queens, each with a well-defined role. In the natural environment, their preferred habitat is damp rotting wood<\/strong> in which they dig galleries. As soon as they find ideal conditions inside houses (humidity, rotting of wood), they settle there and cause irreversible damage. Indeed, they weaken the wooden structures that they dig. This is why it is essential to carry out the extermination of carpenter ants<\/p>\n

The reproduction<\/strong><\/h3>\n

With the arrival of spring, queens carpenter ants<\/strong> wake up and venture outside their nest to mate. These flying ants<\/strong> , also called winged queens, are fertilized by males in flight. This is what we call “the nuptial flight”<\/strong> . Only females survive this mating. After shedding their wings, they look for a place to lay their eggs<\/strong> and y establish their new colony<\/strong> . Ten days later larvae<\/strong> hatch, then transform in nymphs<\/strong> inside of their cocoon<\/strong> . Later, satellite colonies are dug by the workers to extend the territory of the queen of the carpenter ants.<\/p>\n

Their diet<\/strong><\/h3>\n

These insects are omnivorous<\/strong>. They feed, not on wood as one might think, but on honeydew,<\/strong> produced by aphids, small insects and fruits<\/strong> . Inside homes, they love sweet products<\/strong> and foods containing protein<\/strong> (plant and animal). This is why it is important not to leave leftover food within reach.<\/p>\n

Where can they be found ?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The places frequently invaded by ants are:<\/p>\n