Question: We had an ant problem at our home. 

They look like carpenter ants according to the pictures on your web site.  Since it is still winter time, the ants are not that much (we found 1 or 2 every 2 or 3 weeks.). But during the warm season, there are so many they give us headache (even after we put in different ant-baits).  We are just wondering when it is a good time to start the ant-control treatment. Right now when they are still not that much or wait for the warm season when they become active?

ANSWER  Probably what you have is one of the carpenter ant species (Genus: Camponotus).  There are several species of carpenter ants across the U.S.  Most are large black ants, but some are red and some are red and black.  Most of the species produce swarms (winged males and female ants) in the spring.  Carpenter ants feed on other insects and honeydew from aphids on plants and trees. 
 
Carpenter ants nest in wood, but do not eat the wood.  If there is a moisture problem in the house, the ants will seek out wood that has been damaged. They prefer this damp wood over dry, solid wood.  Carpenter ants find damaged wood, whether it is in the bathroom where the tub or shower are not draining properly (or have overflowed and wet the wood) or a porch that is holding moisture. They find wood that has been damaged by moisture from a roof leak, a door frame that gets wet from rain, or a downspout or gutter that is not working.
 
Carpenter ants come into the house for food or water. Many times workers come into the house, get food, and go back outside. Sometimes the ants move the entire colony into the house. And once in a while, the ants make a satellite colony inside the house and leave the main colony outside.

Carpenter ants are active at night and on cloudy days. They move around in trails. It is often possible to follow the line or worker ants to find the nests.

The ideal control for carpenter ants is to locate the nest.  A thorough inspection of the house for moisture damaged wood is necessary.  Correcting the moisture problem is the first step in the process. When the ant nest is located, it can  be removed or treated with insecticide. 
 
Baits are best when the nest can not be located. Liquid baits are preferred by ants, but most baits will work if you locate them near the foraging trail.  When the ants start to eat the bait, keep checking to make sure they do not run out of bait. Baiting takes time, but it will get to the queen in the colony and that is best approach.  Killing the worker ants with sprays is not effective. 

Related Questions:
The Orkin Man used the information above to also answer the following questions submitted by Orkin.com users.

Question: We have had an ant problem at our home.  They look like carpenter ants -- at least they look like the pictures on your web site. Since it is still winter time, the ants are not that much (we found 1 or 2 every 2 or 3 weeks.). But during the warm season, there are so many they give us headache (even after we put in different ant-baits).  We are just wondering when is a good time to start the ant-control treatment. Right now when they are still not that much or wait for the warm season when they become active? Thanks.

Question: I didn't have any ants in my house this summer.  Now in the dead of winter I have ants all over the lower level of my house  What do I do to get rid of them?

Question: Help, we have a live carpenter ant colony under our house.

Question: I live in a heavily wooded area, and I am not sure where to begin with pest management. During my home inspection I was advised I would have to take measures for prevention of carpenter ants and termites. Where do I start?

carpenter ant picture