Carpenter ants have long been recognized
as a threat to wooden buildings.
Much has been learned and written
over the years about why infestations
occur in wood-frame buildings and
how to stop them. In recent years,
however, the use of stressed-skin panels
– rigid foam insulation sandwiched
between layers of flakeboard, drywall,
or other sheet goods – has added a new
chapter to the book. Much remains
unknown about the scope of this problem.
But based on my experience, I
think anyone building in infestationprone
areas should think before using
rigid insulation products.
Colonial Bugs
"Carpenter ant" refers to species of
ants in the sub-family Formicinae,
which typically nest in wood – usually,
but not necessarily, in wood that has
been