Every homeowner fears an infestation of carpenter ants. That’s because they can cause costly damage to the structure of a home. While they aren’t quite as destructive as termites, they are definitely a nuisance, with the ability to damage wood by hollowing it out for nesting. Carpenter ants set up shop in homes, compromising structural stability, according to the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), and are most commonly found in cool, damp areas.
Their M.O. is to damage wood by creating tunnels to build their nests, attacking wet wood that’s been damaged by mold. However, they’re not opposed to nesting in dry, undamaged wood either. There are nine types of carpenter ants throughout the country, measuring ¼ to ½ inch in length with red, black, or red and black coloring.
How much damage the ants cause will depend on how many nests they have made inside the structure and how long they’ve been there. Once you have confirmed the presence of carpenter ants in your home, or at least suspect they are there, it’s vital to find and eliminate those nests right away. For that, you will need a professional exterminator, as the infestation is too invasive and large to attempt a DIY removal job effectively or safely.
What to Look For
Carpenter ant nests are usually detected in damaged wood from leaks around windows and doorframes, crawlspaces, chimneys, sinks and bathtubs. You may not notice any obvious external signs of damage, but you may see some fragments of wood and sawdust that have seeped through cracks.
Carpenter ants work hard to excavate the wood they have chosen as home, forming smooth tunnels inside. They don’t actually eat the wood; they prefer to simply chew through it so they can find a safe space to create their nests.
The western black carpenter ant colony comprises between 10,000 and 20,000 workers, with some large colonies hitting more than 50,000. Each colony has one wingless queen. Once the colony reaches two years old, swarmers are produced, appearing between May and August.
To prevent further infestation, fix all leaks within plumbing systems, roofs and drainage systems. Trim back tree limbs that overhang your home, which act as bridges for carpenter ants to enter. Seal cracks in your foundation and remove any wood lying near the house, storing firewood piles well away from the home.
What to Do
To prevent further infestation, fix all leaks within plumbing systems, roofs and drainage systems. Trim back tree limbs that overhang your home, which act as bridges for carpenter ants to enter. Seal cracks in your foundation and remove any wood lying near the house, storing firewood piles well away from the home.
Home remedies are not advised, as they involve the application of boric acid or insecticides such as carbaryl, diazinon or chlorpyrifos, which can all be extremely dangerous to humans and pets. If you notice any of the above signs, do not try to locate or disturb the carpenter ants. Instead, contact Cavanaugh’s Termite & Pest Services or fill out our online form. We can schedule a technician to visit your property, assess the situation and provide a solution.
