Pest control experts in Ocean County, NJ report there are 1,500 species of carpenter ants worldwide, 50 of which can be found inhabiting North America. The most common carpenter ant in New Jersey is the C. pennsylvanicus which is large and all black in color.
New Jersey residents often see termites swarm at some time during the springtime season. But a common question that is asked to pest control experts in Ocean County, NJ is “what makes carpenter ants swarm?”
As the warmer springtime weather progresses, many New Jersey residents are surprised to find carpenter ants swarming out of a nest that they did not know previously existed. Like termites, carpenter ants colonies mature after several years. It usually takes 6+ years for a colony to reach maturity. Once a colony has approximately 2,000 or so worker carpenter ants, the colony will begin producing “winged reproductives.” Just like with termites, the purpose of the winged reproductives are to expand the nest into a new location. Winged carpenter ant reproductives are both male and female. The female is larger than the male, measuring in at about ¾ of an inch long. The male is about a ½ inch long. Scientists believe that mating occurs once the winged reproductive leaves the colony. After mating, the carpenter ants bite off their wings and begin to form a new branch of the parent colony in a new location.
It’s important to contact an exterminator in Ocean County, NJ at the first sign of swarming carpenter ants or any suspected carpenter colony because these pests will cause extensive damage to a structure.