Trim ivy and
other vines off the side of a home. Ivy leaves marks where it
attaches itself to a surface, plus it holds moisture which eventually
damages a wall, especially if it is painted. Ivy also harbors
pests like rodents, ants, and others.
Carpenter
Ants
Size: These are typically large ants up to 5/8-inch long. Carpenter
ant queens are about 3/4-inch in length, while
the males are smaller at 1/2-inch.
Color: Their color varies from black, brown & black, red and
black, to light brown depending on the species.
The two most common pest species are black in color.
See Bulletin Hungry Carpenter Ants Waking Up!
Pavement Ants
Size: About 1/8-inch long
Color: Brown
Pavement ants are regular pests of buildings throughout the northeast
to the Midwestern United States.
This ant is also found along the west coast from California to
Washington.
Termite Swarmer
Size: Swarmers are about an inch in length, with four wings of
equal size.
Color: black, with white or transparent wings.
Termite swarmers differ from flying ants in that they have four
wings of equal size -- ant wings are two different
sizes -- and they have straight antennae and a wide waist
See Bulletin Termites Swarm in the Spring
