When do Carpenter Ants typically swarm?

Carpenter ants typically swarm during the spring and late summer seasons. This swarming behavior occurs as part of their reproductive cycle, which is influenced by temperature, weather conditions, and the availability of food sources. In spring, the conditions are generally optimal for the development of new colonies, as temperatures begin to rise, and natural resources become abundant. Late summer also provides a second opportunity for swarming, allowing for the dispersal of new queens and males to establish new colonies before the onset of winter.

The other options do not accurately reflect the lifecycle of carpenter ants, as they do not swarm in winter, limiting the other season choices to summer only, ignoring the important early spring period for swarming. While some insect species may show activity year-round, carpenter ants are more specifically tied to seasonal patterns that enhance their survival and reproductive success.