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• Reputation: 675 Q&A: 19 1 4 195 0 0 Classifieds: 0 0 what's this? Expert: 1 topic Gardening Follow Following 2 Master Gardener Andrea

  1 0 You have a great question. Here’s some information about Termites and Carpenter Ants from Washington State University’s Pestsense site, http://pep.wsu.edu/pestsense/.  Unfortunately, WSU's entomologist say there are no known natural predators. I hope this info is helpful. Termites: BIOLOGY: There are two native termites in our area: The dampwood termite and the subterranean termite. The dampwood termite lives and feeds in wet or rotting wood. It does not nest in dry sound wood. Dampwood termites are actually an indicator of a prior problem, like wood-soil contact which sets up the ideal habitat for nesting. The dampwood termite is our largest termite, the winged forms (orange brown) being about 3/4 inch long (including wings), while the whitish workers are about 1/2 inch long. Subterranean termites are small. The winged forms are black and about 3/8 inch long (including wings). The workers are grayish white and about 1/4 inch long. This termite lives in the soil and migrates to wood sources. Subterranean termites commonly attack sound wood in homes and can be very damaging. Dampwood termites swarm in late summer or fall especially after rains. The subterranean termites may swarm any time of the year. Management Options Select Non-chemical Management Options as Your First Choice!!  • Avoid wood–soil contact.• Do not place woodpiles next to house. • Ensure good ventilation in crawl space (be sure a vapor barrier is in place). • Prevention options (Dampwood termite) – do not create conditions conducive to infestation. Pesticides are rarely needed for this termite. • Remove formwood (left during construction) from soil around foundation. There are no reliable non-chemical prevention techniques for subterranean termites. Once established, chemical control is usually the only option. Apply products to foundation if a subterranean termite colony is determined to be outside but close to house (this is determined by locating swarming site from the soil). If swarms or workers are coming from inside or under the house it would be wise to contact a reputable pest management professional because homeowner efforts are usually ineffective. • If you choose to use a pesticide, some examples of products that are legal in Washington are listed below. Some products are labeled for just INDOOR or just OUTDOOR use, or may allow both uses. Be sure to choose a product appropriate for your situation. •Always read and follow all label directions. • Bonide Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Conc • HotShot MaxAttrax Ultra Brand Ant Killing Gel • Ortho Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Conc • Spectracide Terminate Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Conc 3 This list may not include all products registered for this use. AND, about Carpenter Ants: Biology Carpenter ants are the largest of our ants at least as major workers (soldiers), which can be 1/2 inch in length. Small workers are 1/4 inch or larger. They can be black or red and black in color. They are a pest because they commonly make nests in homes. Carpenter ants do not eat wood, but they will excavate it for nesting and occasionally cause structural weakening. They will also nest in insulation. In many instances they are largely nuisances. There are two kinds of nests. The parent colony is usually located away from the house in a stump or log. Satellite colonies are extensions of parent colonies and do not have a queen, but function much like a nursery. Many home infestations are satellite colonies. Mating swarms generally occur from April-early June. Management Options Select Non-chemical Management Options as Your First Choice!! • Avoid dense shrubbery around homes (includes tree branches touching eaves). • Avoid wood-soil contact. • Beauty bark around foundations is “attractive” to carpenter ants. • Do not place woodpiles next to house. • Ensure good ventilation in crawl spaces. • For most successful management, do not create conditions conducive to infestations. • Remove stumps or rotting logs near houses. In heavily wooded areas you may have to apply preventative treatments 2-3 times during April/May, mid-July, and perhaps again in Sept/Oct. • If you choose to use a pesticide, some examples of products that are legal in Washington are listed below. Some products are labeled for just INDOOR or just OUTDOOR use, or may allow both uses. Be sure to choose a product appropriate for your situation. • Always read and follow all label directions. • Bayer Advanced Garden PowerForce Multi-Insect Killer Concentrate • Bonide Termite & Carpenter Ant Killer Conc • Ortho R-T-U HomeDefense Max Kills Bugs Inside This list may not include all products registered for this use. What about natural predators? According to http://cru.cahe.wsu.edu/CEPublications/eb0818/eb0818.pdf, no effective biological control for carpenter ants is known. Master Gardener Andrea answered in Pest Control/Weeds 11 months ago | Report Comment on this answer Enter your comment or ask a new question preview THIS IS A PREVIEW: Click "Post" to submit it or "Edit" to make changes. edit Please wait… This could take a minute if the tubes are clogged.

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