nucornhusker
Babbling Farker
So, do you sprinkle it on the ground around the woodpile?
-
working on DNS.. links may break temporarily.
carpenter ants in wood
- Thread starter ButtBurner
- Start date
Singed 'Stache
Found some matches.
Hey there, forest pest management is my job. Finally I have something to contribute to this forum (as it sure isn't barbeque tips yet, although I'm quickly getting the hang of my UDS and have figured out what a fatty is).
Both termites and carpenter ants need a moisture source, so whatever you picked up was probably in the wood before you brought it into the garage. Look at the tunnels in the split wood. The tunnels of carpenter ants are very smooth and clean; termites have bits of mud and mess inside. Given your location (Dearborn), I'd guess carpenter ants.
Each carpenter ant colony has one queen. Chances are as you cut the tree or repiled the wood, you didn't bring her home. So you likely have workers slowly dieing off with no replacements. They have probably been confined to just a few pieces of wood, although may scavenge for food especially at night. Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They only hollow it out for their nest (if there is a moisture source).
I would just keep an eye on it. Check around the pile after dark. If you don't see scouts all over, your roof isn't leaking, no puddles running from your car into the woodpile, etc., you probably have nothing to worry about. That said, don't leave it around indefinitely; yes, now you have an excuse to fire up the smoker every weekend.
Hope this helps.
Both termites and carpenter ants need a moisture source, so whatever you picked up was probably in the wood before you brought it into the garage. Look at the tunnels in the split wood. The tunnels of carpenter ants are very smooth and clean; termites have bits of mud and mess inside. Given your location (Dearborn), I'd guess carpenter ants.
Each carpenter ant colony has one queen. Chances are as you cut the tree or repiled the wood, you didn't bring her home. So you likely have workers slowly dieing off with no replacements. They have probably been confined to just a few pieces of wood, although may scavenge for food especially at night. Carpenter ants do not eat wood. They only hollow it out for their nest (if there is a moisture source).
I would just keep an eye on it. Check around the pile after dark. If you don't see scouts all over, your roof isn't leaking, no puddles running from your car into the woodpile, etc., you probably have nothing to worry about. That said, don't leave it around indefinitely; yes, now you have an excuse to fire up the smoker every weekend.
Hope this helps.
ButtBurner
Babbling Farker
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
- Messages
- 4,249
- Reaction score
- 2,187
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Dearborn Mi, Manton Mi
from your description of the holes they are carpenter ants for sure. Looks like someone drilled a hole in the wood. And the ones I did see when I cut that piece of wood sure looked like them too so I am sure they are not termites.
thanks for your expert opinion.
charrederhead
Babbling Farker
Personally, I'd get a pallet and stack the wood on it outside.
MI Smoke
Full Fledged Farker
thats the whole point of my post!!
hello?? anyone in there???
:-D Guess I should have read more than 1/2 your post.
ButtBurner
Babbling Farker
- Joined
- Dec 18, 2012
- Messages
- 4,249
- Reaction score
- 2,187
- Points
- 0
- Age
- 64
- Location
- Dearborn Mi, Manton Mi
Mrdeville
Full Fledged Farker
I had them all over my house at one time. Now they are gone! Try to find out exactly where they are coming in. Then use maxforce ant killer gel or DuPont Advion gel.
They both come in a small tube that is about no more than $5-$10. Put a little out and it will attract them , they eat it and take it back to colony and wipes them out! I haven't seen any since I used it! Years ago. You can find it on EBay .
They both come in a small tube that is about no more than $5-$10. Put a little out and it will attract them , they eat it and take it back to colony and wipes them out! I haven't seen any since I used it! Years ago. You can find it on EBay .
Singed 'Stache
Found some matches.
Well yes, that is much preferred. Professional recommendation is also 'don't stack wood next to a building' as the last thing one needs is termites or carpenter ants infesting an old wet pile and then getting adventurous in the sill plate and wall joists nearby. That said, don't look beside my garage if you come to my house
