Carpenter Ants can Cost you Big Dollars!

You may have seen ants scurrying about your property carrying tiny bits of food back to their nests.  Carpenter ants aren't quite so innocent.  They can cause a significant amount of damage to your home with their nest-building activities.

These pests normally construct nests inside of hollowed out trees or decayed wood.  They will also setup shop somewhere in your home if they can find an area suitable enough.  They will excavate the inside of wood, leaving the structure very unstable.

Oftentimes though, they have a nest somewhere outside and simply enter your home in search of food.  If there are moist areas though, they may decide to setup a satellite nest and really move in.

You'll need to be careful because there are various ways that these small creatures can get into your home.  If there are any cracks in the foundation, door frames, or window sills, then getting in won't be a problem.  Air conditioning ducts and ventilation openings will also grant them convenient access.

Homeowners that have areas of moisture around their home will attract them too.  Water may seep from your gutter system if it's damaged.  If you have a chimney, then the flashing may have gone bad.  Wooden roof shingles or siding can also start rotting and provide the ants with a great source of water.  Of course, rooms like the kitchen and bathroom will have plenty of water around, so you'll need to ensure that nothing is leaking.

Since carpenter ants can end up costing you big dollars, you will want to do your best to prevent them.  Make sure that you inspect your property on a regular basis, both inside and outside.  If there are old tree stumps or branches in your yard, have them removed.  Do not let tree limbs grow long enough to overhang your home because they can simply use it as a bridge and eventually make their way inside.

Even if you take appropriate preventative measures, you may still have problems with these destructive pests.  If there are signs, you may not notice them either.  Therefore, it's best that you hire a professional pest control guy to come inspect your home and treat it if necessary.  You definitely shouldn't regard this as a waste of money since investing in this service could end up saving you quite a bit of money.  Don't let carpenter ants start ruining your home.