Question
I have 9 pinetrees and 7 of them have a problem.  There are alot of small holes in the bark.  I found some small, black ants in the sap and wondered if they were making the holes.  The holes are about a quarter inch in diameter, start about 1.5 feet up from the bottom and goe all the way up.  I want to know what is making them, how i can stop it, and if they could spread to other trees like maples.

Answer
I assume the foliage is still green --if so the holes are more than likely being made by a woodpecker called a sap sucker. these birds make the holes and insects come to feed on the sap exuded by the tree. The woodpeckers comes back and eats the insects. The ants are being attracted by the sap also. You can spray the trunks with liquid seven insecticide and kill the insects and the woodpeckers will leave.  IF the needles are turning brown then there is a more serious problem such as pine beetles. And these need to be controlled as soon as possible to keep them from spreading to other pines but no maples. But since you said nothing about dying needles I will go with the woodpeckers.