Are you constantly seeing ants with a dark brown or black coat in your home? If so, it’s very likely you have an infestation of carpenter ants on your property.
Carpenter ants can easily be differentiated from regular ants by their size and other unique features. They are generally larger than most ant species and have heart-shaped heads with elbowed antennae. They also have a constricted waist and two sets of wings on their thorax with the front pair longer than the back.
Generally speaking, carpenter ants are not dangerous to humans. They don’t bite or spread diseases and infections. The real concern with an infestation is damage to your property. Because they form their nests in wood, they can severely weaken the integrity of wooden structures. To prevent an infestation and avoid expensive repairs here are a few tips you can follow:
1. Repair Leaks on Your Property
Leaks act as entry points for water into your home, which can cause wooden structures to become moist and decay. Carpenter ants love damp wood because it’s easier to burrow through and build their nests.
2. Replace Any Damaged Wood
Carpenter ants favor damaged wood because it is easier to chew through and excavate tunnels to create a colony and raise their young. By ensuring all the wood in your structures is in good condition, you minimize the chances of an infestation.
3. Store Firewood Above the Ground
Firewood can attract carpenter ants because it usually comprises of either decayed or damaged wood. By storing it on an elevated surface you ensure it is out of reach of any passing carpenter ants thus preventing them from building a nest.
4. Raise Your Porch
If you’re using wooden furniture on your porch make sure it is elevated to avoid contact with the earth. Rainfall, humidity, and intense sunshine can easily damage the wood making it a hot spot for carpenter ants.
5. Trim Any Shrubs and Tall Branches
These often provide the ants and other pests with a pathway to your home, where they can cause havoc. It’s more convenient to keep your shrubbery in shape than to deal with an infestation.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
If you suspect you have an infestation the best way to eliminate carpenter ants is by contacting licensed pest control professionals. Do it as soon as possible. The longer you wait the more serious the damage is likely to be.
Licensed professionals will follow the trail of the ants to their nest, assess the situation, and choose the best extermination method that is safe for your family and property. Hiring professionals also helps you have peace of mind knowing the problem has been fully dealt with.
At EnviroSpray, we have the expertise to provide you and your family with the utmost protection from carpenter ants and other insect infestations. Our dependability stems from our vast knowledge and experience handling a wide variety of pest control issues.