Here's what every homeowner needs to know about carpenter ants. The following information will keep these annoying pests out of your house for years to come.
Are hundreds of carpenter ants eating your house? Don't panic. Contact a pest control expert and treat the problem immediately. There are many reliable pest control agencies around. A viable pest control company will perform an inspection,
find the ant colony, apply insecticide inside and outside your house, and identify structural problems that may be allowing the ants to come into your home. They can also recommend repairs that will help you keep the ants from coming back. Here’s what you need to know if you have an ant problem.
Where Ants are Commonly Found
Carpenter ants are large and black in color. Queens are usually 3/4 inches long and worker ants can be 1/4 or 1/2 inch long. These pests tend to appear in the bathroom, dishwasher, basement, kitchen near plumbing areas, and in areas where sugary products are stored. They are usually active on the shelves, countertops, and floor. Carpenter ants eat a variety of foods, plant juices, dead insects, and fatty or sweet foods.
When Ants are Active Indoors
These pests wander inside houses and buildings seeking sugary foods, especially in the spring. They can also be found inside homes in the winter, if they are receiving warmth from indoor heat or sunlight. When these pests are active in the winter, they usually come out at night and reach for moisture. On a hot summer day, these destructive pests can be seen wandering around through different areas of the building.
Destroying the Ant Colony
Ant colonies tend to live a long time. The queen may live for 15 years and worker ants tend to live for about 7 years. A pest control professional can help you locate the ant colony. If the colony is found, it can be destroyed quickly. The pest control expert you hire will likely perform an inspection inside and outside your home and apply a powerful insecticide to your property. It is worth noting that a do-it-yourself approach may destroy the ants you are able to see, but a professional treatment will kill the entire colony and prevent them from coming back.
Tips for Keeping the Ants Out
If you want to keep the ants out, remove any dead wood from the foundation of your home. Firewood should be kept as far from your home as possible. Before you bring wood into your home, make sure it’s free of insects. You should also eliminate all sources of moisture. Fix weather-damaged wood and make sure your gutters are not leaking. It’s also a good idea to fix any roof or plumbing leaks.
Preventing Damage to Your Property
If you see any black ants in your house, steps should be taken to destroy them before they damage the structure of your home. If you ignore these pests, they may cause serious damage sooner or later. The good news is that a pest control professional can solve your problem. Experienced pest control professionals are willing to do much more than just apply insecticide around your home and they know what to do to keep carpenter ants out of sight.
