Hawaii Carpenter Ants are sometimes refered to as “exploding ants” – they can release their contents suicidally, rupturing their body and spraying toxic substance from the head. The ‘Orange Carpenter Ant’ is plentiful in Hawaii and is Hawaii’s largest ant species, growing to be half an inch in size. A Carpenter Ant colony can consist of 2 – 200 indivinual ants; nests are primarily found outside, preferring rotting wood, tree stumps, or wood that has been hollowed out by termites.

The Carpenter Ant is a night forager and will feed on small insects and most food found in homes; they are especially drawn to meat and grease. If you see six or more Carpenter Ants in your home, chances are you have an infestation.

Next Steps?

In controlling an infestation of carpenter ants, it’s important to first locate the source. Carpenter Ants prefer to live in furniture such as pianos, double doors, hollow core doors, beneath built-in cabinets, cardboard boxes, suitcases and behind dresser drawers. Once the ant nest is found, it can be removed and treated chemically. Ants will construct their nests close to moisture sources; all moisture conduits must be removed.

If treated early and before ant colony becomes established, serious structural damage can be averted. Carpenter ants can cause extreme structural home damage if left undiscovered for an extended period of time. If you are unsure how long your home or building has had an ant infestation, contact a Hawaii pest control specialist to determine the correct pest treatment.

Have Carpenter Ants in your home? Contact Kamaaina Termite and Pest Control for a free estimate: (808) 591-9997