¥.ENVIRONMENTIJIIjlilÊliyÊ'AENVIRONNEMENTEnvironmentWINTER 1992EnvironnementTHECARPENTERANTAND ITSCONTROLAll opening, theIn their natural surroundings, carpenter ants are waste isdumped through the nest sobeneficial insects. They excavate galleries in wood nest is kept clean. This behaviour often reveals theclean surfaces, earningand meticubusly finish and nest site.theniselves their name. Their galleriesopen dampupand rotting wood so decomposers, such as other Ahomeowner should take several precautionsto reduceinsects and fungi, can start working. They also feed the risk of a Carpenter ant infestation. These are:onmany pests. They arethe largest domesticcommonant, measuring from 6 to 13mm in length for the brown 1. Remove decaying wood from around buildings,or black workers, and more than 25mm forthequeen. and store firewood outdoors away from direct soilconditions. For example,In late spring and early summer, mature colonies contact in well ventilatedplatform supported concretedevelop reproductive castes which have wings and place Kon a flat byfrom the house;swarni in mating flights, often making a nuisance of blocks, awaythemselves in and around homes. Outdoors, theyventilation and drainage around thenest in moist wood, such as stumps, landscape ties 2. Ensuregoodthe wooden parts stay dry. Woodand wooden fence posts. building somoist outdoor locations should be treatedused intheir wKh preservative such as zinc or copperIn buildings, they ...