Carpenter Ants

German Fumigation Most Carpenter Ant species establish their initial nest in decayed wood, but, once established, the ants extend their tunneling into sound wood and can do considerable damage to a structure. Getting rid of carpenter ants isn’t easy without an experienced service technician on your side, but there are some steps you can take on your own. Just be aware that even with a pest management professional, killing carpenter ants is a difficult task.

Carpenter ant nests come in two forms: parent nests and satellite nests. Summer is a popular time for building things. When a new home is built, those people doing the building are called carpenters. In this blog, however, the kind of carpenter we’ll be talking about is not the kind you want working on your home. These pests prefer damp or decaying wood. Homes with moisture issues caused by leaks are prime targets for carpenter ants. The pests will also use tree branches that overhang roofs to access buildings to find a way inside. Unsealed openings around utility pipes and wires are common entry points.

How serious are carpenter ants?

When carpenter ants build nests, they dig out tunnels in wood, weakening the wood from the inside. A long-term infestation with multiple colonies in a home often means serious structural and cosmetic damage. Because they chew through the center of the wood, a carpenter ant infestation will often go unnoticed until it’s too late. The damage caused by carpenter ants is often confused with termite damage, as are the insects themselves. Termites actually eat and digest the cellulose found in the wood, carpenter ants simply hollow out galleries to use as nests in wood.

DIY tips to prevent carpenter ant infestation:

  • Seal cracks in the foundation with caulk.
  • Store firewood away from the home and trim back bushes and trees from the edge of the house.
  • Fix water leaks and adjust the grading around your house so there is no standing water.
  • Use airtight containers to store food in the pantry.
  • Install proper screening in windows and door sweeps on entry doors.
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