With their huge size and destructive nature, carpenter ants are a tough enemy for any type of home. They don’t eat wood like termites do, but they do dig through it to make nests, which can damage buildings over time. If you want to get rid of carpenter ants and keep your home safe, you need to get advice from professionals.
How to Spot Carpenter Ants
Finding the right carpenter ants is the first thing that needs to be done to get rid of them. The length of these ants is usually between ¼ and ¾ of an inch, and they can be black, reddish-brown, or a mix of the two. They have two parts on their waist and stalks that are shaped like elbows. Making the right identification will help you be sure you’re working with carpenter ants and not another type of ant.
Find the nests
It can be hard to find carpenter ant nests because they like to build their homes in wood, usually in walls, ceilings, or floors. They can also make satellite nests that are linked to the main colony. Frass, which looks like sawdust and is made of wood shavings, should be found near possible entry places because it means the nest is active. There may also be light rustling or tapping sounds coming from the wood.
Strategies That Work
Professional check: If you want a thorough check, you might want to hire a pest control professional. They have the knowledge and tools to figure out how bad the problem is and find the houses.
Baits and insecticides: To get rid of carpenter ants, pest control professionals often use baits and insecticides. These treatments go after the ants, their homes, and the queen to make sure they are all gone.
Repairs to the structure: Once the infestation is under control, fix or replace any damaged wood to bring your house back to its original state. Fix any problems with water that brought the ants in the first place.
Preventative Steps
Stopping carpenter ant outbreaks is just as important as getting rid of ones that are already there. Here are some precautions that experts say you should take:
Controlling Moisture: Carpenter ants like wet places. Take care of any leaks, water damage, or air problems right away. Make sure damp places like basements and crawl spaces have enough air flow.
Maintenance for Wood: Check wooden buildings often for damage or signs of decay. Keep wood in good shape and shut it up so that ants can’t get in.
Landscaping: Cut back trees and plants that grow close to your house to get rid of places where ants could hide. Get rid of dead or dying trees and stumps, which birds may like as places to nest.
Food Storage: Both inside and outside, keep food in sealed containers to keep pests away. Quickly clean up food crumbs and spills.
Seal Entry Points: Use caulk or a weather-resistant filler to fill in any cracks, gaps, or holes on the outside of your home. Watch out for places where bugs can get in around windows, doors, and utility lines.
Keep an eye out for any signs of carpenter ant activity, even after the treatment is done. Small outbreaks can be stopped from getting worse if they are found early.
Help From Experts
Some people may try to get rid of carpenter ants on their own, but it’s usually better and more effective to hire a pest control company. They know how to correctly evaluate the situation, use targeted treatments, and come up with long-term solutions.
Homeowners need to be alert, take action, and know what to do to get rid of carpenter ants. With tips and tricks from professionals, you can keep these pests out of your home and keep it in good shape for years to come. Remember that the best way to win the fight and keep your home free of pests is to act quickly and take preventative steps.
At Ant Control Lindsay, we offer long-term solutions that can guarantee the eradication of pest presence throughout the property through crack and crevice application in areas of high activity.