When ants are gathered around a tree, they aren’t necessarily damaging it. They could be searching for food or already feeding on substances produced by other insects.
If your mature trees have steady streams of ants marching up and down their trunks, look closer before assuming they’re harming the trees. Aphids and other sap-feeding insects produce honeydew, a sugary substance that ants love. Ants have a natural sweet tooth and are highly attracted to trees where honeydew is available.
Yep, they consider another insect’s waste a convenient food source.
Do Carpenter Ants Live in Trees?
Yes, carpenter ants can live in trees. They establish their nests inside living trees, especially where wood has softened or begun to decay. Carpenter ants also nest in dead trees and stumps.
Despite their name and impressive woodworking skills, carpenter ants don’t actually eat wood. They simply excavate wood to create nests. If you notice sawdust-like wood shavings near the base of a mature tree, repeated ant activity there, or obvious areas of wood decay, carpenter ants might be present.
The presence of ants and decay on a mature tree doesn’t automatically mean that ants caused the problem. In fact, UMass Extension says that the presence of carpenter ants in a tree could be an indication of existing decay. A qualified arborist can evaluate whether a tree with substantial decay could pose a falling hazard.
For ants around trees and the rest of your property, Mosquito Squad Plus of Newton offers Complete Home & Yard, a broad-spectrum outdoor pest control plan to help reduce outdoor ants and many other pests. In fact, this 12-month pest control package defends properties against more than 40 pests.
Fill out our online form to schedule a complimentary Newton pest control assessment and service quote.
