Emma Wilson
Carpenter ants are a nuisance to homeowners, invading homes and becoming difficult to get rid of. While chemical pesticides are a common solution, they can be dangerous and harmful. Mycologist Paul Stamets, author of the book *Mycelium Running: How Mushrooms Can Help Save the World,* discovered a natural way to kill carpenter ants using mushrooms. This method, called mycoremediation, involves no dangerous chemicals and is a lasting, renewable remedy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Do carpenter ants raise mushrooms? | No, carpenter ants are known to be attacked by a parasitic species of fungi called Ophiocordyceps. However, some species of ants are known to farm fungus for food. |
| How does Ophiocordyceps infect carpenter ants? | The fungi infect the body of the carpenter ant and, when ready to produce a mushroom, move into the ant's brain. The ant departs its nest and climbs a nearby plant. The ant bites down, its jaws locking as it dies. The fungus then sends out sticky threads that glue the corpse to the leaf. A giant stalk then bursts out of the ant's head, showering spores onto the ant trails below. |
| Can mushrooms be used to kill carpenter ants? | Yes, mushrooms can be used to kill carpenter ants. However, it is unclear whether the spores are harmful to humans. |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mushrooms can be used to kill carpenter ants
Mushrooms can be used as a natural alternative to conventional pesticides to kill carpenter ants. Paul Stamets, a mycologist, pioneered this method when his house was infested with carpenter ants. Instead of using conventional pesticides, he fed the ants a pre-sporulating strain of a specific fungus grown on rice. The ants consumed the rice, and a few days later, they were gone. The fungus grows inside the ants, eventually killing them and producing mushrooms that release millions of spores. These spores act as a long-lasting repellent, deterring future ants from invading the structure for years.
This method is species-specific, ensuring that it does not harm similar native or beneficial species in the area. It is a safe and renewable remedy that does not rely on dangerous chemicals. While major chemical companies are preventing its widespread availability, it offers a promising, natural solution for homeowners struggling with carpenter ant infestations.
To employ this method, one must first obtain the specific fungus that targets carpenter ants. While Paul Stamets' company does not sell the fungus, universities may have cultures available, providing an opportunity to acquire a small sample for growth in petri dishes. Alternatively, one can culture an ant or other insect infected by a fungus and utilize that culture to create more.
Once the fungus is obtained, it can be grown on rice, as Stamets did, or other suitable substrates. The inoculated rice or substrate is then strategically placed in the path of the carpenter ants, luring them to consume it. After ingestion, the fungus works inside the ants, leading to their demise. The resulting mushrooms release spores that serve as a long-term repellent, creating a protective barrier against future infestations.
This innovative approach to pest control showcases the potential of using mushrooms to combat carpenter ant infestations. By employing this natural solution, homeowners can effectively address carpenter ant problems while minimizing the use of harmful chemicals, contributing to a safer and more environmentally friendly approach to pest management.
Sauteing Mushrooms: Does It Affect Nutritional Value?
You may want to see also
Carpenter ants can be killed by Ophiocordyceps fungi
Carpenter ants (genus Camponotus) can be killed by the parasitic Ophiocordyceps fungi, commonly known as zombie-ant fungi. The fungi are largely pantropical and are found in tropical forest ecosystems, predominantly in tropical rainforests. They can also be found in warm-temperate forest systems.
The Ophiocordyceps fungi start their life cycle as sticky spores on the forest floor. If a spore attaches to a passing carpenter ant, it germinates infective hyphae (thread-like strands) to breach the insect's exoskeleton. Once inside the ant's body, the fungus grows and manipulates the ant's behaviour, eventually positioning the ant in a warm, humid location near the ground that will best serve to distribute a new crop of fungal spores. The fungus secretes neuromodulatory agents, particularly guanobutyric acid and sphingosine, near both the central and peripheral nervous systems of its host, which alter the ant's behaviour.
After the ant dies, the fungus continues to grow, digesting the cadaver from the inside out. The fungus then fortifies the ant's exoskeleton, anchoring it to the plant substrate while secreting antimicrobials to ward off competition. After 4-10 days, the fungus's fruiting bodies grow from the ant's head and rupture, releasing the spores. Dead ants are found in areas termed ""graveyards", which contain high densities of dead ants previously infected by the same fungus.
Ophiocordyceps fungi produce various known secondary metabolites, as well as structurally uncharacterized substances. These natural products are reportedly being investigated for potential use in immunomodulation, antitumor treatments, and hypoglycemic and hyperlipidemic applications.
The Perfect Mushroom Slice: Techniques and Tips
You may want to see also
Carpenter ants are considered pests
Carpenter ants usually enter homes through small openings, such as cracks around doors and windows, or by crawling along outdoor wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building. Once inside, they feed on sweets, eggs, meats, cakes, and grease, and can contaminate food sources. While carpenter ants do not eat wood, they create smooth gallery walls with a sandpapered appearance, leaving behind coarse sawdust. Their galleries are kept clean and free of debris. Over time, their nesting activities can result in significant structural damage to homes.
To prevent and control carpenter ant infestations, it is crucial to seal entry points, eliminate food sources, manage moisture, and remove potential nesting sites. Carpenter ants are attracted to areas with steady moisture, such as firewood stored in garages or basements, plumbing, and trees with branches touching the house. Homeowners should trim tree limbs away from structures and eliminate sources of excess moisture to make the home less desirable to carpenter ants.
While some do-it-yourself methods can be effective in controlling carpenter ants, such as spraying insecticides on perimeter walls and tree trunks, it is often best to employ a licensed pest control professional. Carpenter ant colonies can include more than 50,000 ants, and their nests are challenging to locate as they are often hidden in wall voids, ceilings, or attics. Pest management professionals have the experience and equipment to effectively locate and exterminate carpenter ant nests, preventing further damage to homes.
Mushroom Effects: How Long Do They Last?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Carpenter ants can be killed using conventional pesticides
Carpenter ants are a unique species of ants that can cause significant property damage. They love to damage your house from the inside out during the summer. To prevent this, you can use conventional pesticides to kill them. Here are some methods to achieve this:
Use of Insecticides
Non-repellent insecticides such as Phantom, Alpine Foam, or Termidor Foam are effective in killing carpenter ants. These products allow the ants to walk through the treated area, picking up the active ingredient on their bodies. They then carry this back to their colony, spreading it to other insects hidden behind walls or in their home colony, effectively killing every other pest they come in contact with. It is important to note that you should never spray insecticides on carpenter ants emerging from the nest as this may cause them to spread out and build more nests. Instead, create a treatment zone around and on the exterior of the structure with these non-repellent insecticides.
Baiting with Pesticides
Using slow-acting bait is critical when treating carpenter ants. Baits like Advanced Carpenter Ant Bait Granular or Maxforce Fleet will kill the ants as they return to their colony, ensuring that the entire nest is affected. It is important to follow the instructions on the packaging when using these baits. Another option is to mix powdered sugar with boric acid and place the mixture wherever you see carpenter ants. The worker ants will bring the acid back to the nest, penetrating and killing the ants.
Diatomaceous Earth
Diatomaceous Earth is a natural substance that dehydrates and kills carpenter ants by breaking down their tough exoskeletons. It is an organic pesticide that is safe to use around pets and children, although caution should still be exercised when handling it to avoid lung damage. To apply, drill one-inch holes every six inches and blow the Diatomaceous Earth dust into the holes.
Professional Pest Control Services
Due to the satellite nests and potential for structural damage caused by carpenter ants, it may be best to contact a professional pest control service to ensure effective eradication. They can help identify the main colony, which is often associated with water leaks or poorly ventilated crawl spaces, and provide targeted treatments.
Mushrooms: Complex Eukaryotic Organisms Explained
You may want to see also
Carpenter ants are found in the Western Hemisphere
Carpenter ants (Camponotus spp.) are a genus of large ants indigenous to many parts of the world. They are found in forest environments and build nests inside dead, damp wood, where they cut "galleries" to create passageways for movement between different sections of the nest. Carpenter ants are known to infest wooden structures, causing structural damage, but their ability to excavate wood also aids in forest decomposition.
In the Western Hemisphere, carpenter ants are found in various regions of the United States, including the central, eastern, and southern states. Specific species have their own unique distributions; for example, the black carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) is found in the central and eastern US, while the Florida carpenter ant (Camponotus floridanus) is, as its name suggests, found in Florida. The western carpenter ant (Camponotus modoc) is found in the western and southwestern states, and the New York carpenter ant (Camponotus noveboracensis) is found in New York and the eastern US.
The natural habitat of carpenter ants is typically within forests, where they nest in dead or decaying wood. They are attracted to moist or water-damaged wood, which is softer and easier to chew through. Carpenter ants will also nest in building materials weakened by moisture, causing infestations in houses, sheds, and other structures. They are known to construct extensive underground tunneling systems and can have overlapping foraging regions with other colonies.
Carpenter ants are large, with workers ranging from 4 to 13 mm in length, queens reaching 9 to 20 mm, and males spanning 5 to 13 mm. They have black or reddish bodies, with distinct body regions, and antennae that have a sharp "elbowed" bend. Their main food sources include proteins and carbohydrates, and they are known to farm aphids for their sugary honeydew.
How Torches Affect Mushrooms: A Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms can be used to kill carpenter ants. A specific species of mushroom infects the body of the carpenter ant and, when ready to produce a mushroom, it moves into the ant's brain. The ant is then compelled to climb higher, allowing the spores to spread further.
Carpenter ants do not help mushrooms. In fact, mushrooms are often used to kill carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants are able to recognize the scent of mushroom spores and avoid them.
Mushrooms of the Ophiocordyceps species infect carpenter ants, compelling them to climb plants and bite down on leaves or branches. The fungus then kills the ant, sending out sticky threads to attach the corpse to the leaf or branch. The mushroom then grows out of the ant's head, spreading more spores.
