A few Fridays ago, I wrote about pheromone trails. Then I was recalling and rereading some research by Dr. Laura Hanson PH. D-- one of the leading entomologist with great research in information on carpenter ants.
I was going back through some of her publications on her research, as well as publications by other entomologists, and other people who have studied the work of Dr. Laura Hanson PH. D. As I was reading and considering information that I know-- from experience and past research and classes-- I was thinking about how there are actually visible trails worn between satellite colonies, main colony, food and water supplies of carpenter ant colonies.
These visible trails started as pheromone trails-- and as the ants use the trails, over and over and over again, they wear visible trails into their environment. Carpenter ant trails can be above ground, under ground in and around obstacles etc. The pheromone trails are added to, each time a new ant follows the trail. The chemical communications that are triggered by pheromones are very interesting to me.
Carpenter ants follow trails to food and water sources, and back to the colony or satellite colony. Pheromones are also used to communicate other messages. Although this is mostly about pheromone, here is a fun fact about carpenter ants: They do not actually eat wood, they carve it out. Carpenter ants actually feed on dead insects, plants, and the waste product of aphids (honeydew).
Although Carpenter ants do not "eat" wood, they still cause damage as they dig, excavate and create a nest, trails and tunnels (galleries) for their colony and satellite colonies in the wood portions of homes and other buildings.
If you are having a problem with carpenter ants, moisture ants, or other pests, please give me a call! I would be happy to help you out!
Micah Wood
www.peak-pest-management.com
micah@peak-pest-management.com
Pest Control Vancouver 360-607-1933
Pest Control Portland 503-998-4322
Pest Control Seattle 206-790-8285
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