Carpenter Ants: Home Invaders
websitebuilder • May 20, 2019
Ants are invasive. They not only enter your home uninvited, but they also want to eat your food and make a mess of your lovely home. Carpenter ants can be quite a problem, and you certainly should not have to deal with them on your own.
But while carpenter ants are a nuisance, how do you even begin to determine if the ants you see actually cause damage to your home? And what do you do if they are? This guide will help you figure it all out.
How Can You Identify Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are typically black, often with a slight hue of another color (like red). These ants have six legs and segmented, oval-type bodies. Some of the ants have wings, especially after the colony has had time to create offspring.
Many people realize they have ants when they see them in the kitchen. After all, ants like to eat many of the same foods humans do. You might find them on your counters or in your pantry, feasting on tasty food you were saving for yourself.
Confuse carpenter ants with other types of ants can be easy to do, so you may have to look for the tunnels to make a full diagnosis of the problem. If people only see the chomped wood and not the ants themselves, these pests could also be confused for termites.
If you do not see tunnels or ants, look for wood shavings. The ants will chew up the wood and then spit it out, leaving behind a lot of evidence of their occupation.
What Damage Do Carpenter Ants Cause?
Quite a bit. These ants will chew tunnels through wood in order to construct nests right inside the structure of your home. Tens of thousands of ants can enter your home at once, leading to many different tunnels.
However, a common misconception is that carpenter ants eat wood. Actually, they typically gnaw on wood just to make a safe place for a nest. Inside the nest is typically a queen ant preparing to create more ants to infest your home.
What Can You Do About Carpenter Ants?
Fortunately, you do not have to live with carpenter ants. By taking a few quick steps, you can eliminate these pests from your home — hopefully for good.
One of the first things you might consider doing is addressing excess moisture in your home. Ants love moist wood, and the presence of these ants could reveal that your house has moisture issues. You may need to make some repairs to keep the ants away for good.
Ants also love water. If you have a lot of standing water around your house, now is a good time to get rid of it. Ants may take the water as an invitation to join your household.
Then, look outside at any potential bridges ants may use to make their way inside. Carpenter ants will use anything to get inside, from garden hoses to tree branches. Look carefully to ensure you do not stack anything near the home that could provide an open invitation.
Finally, you can call a pest control company. Pest control services deal with carpenter ants every day. They can find the weak entry points and prevent ants from coming back.
Anteater Pest Control Inc.
offers pest control services in your area. When you feel like pests have taken over, call us. We will fight back against insects and other pests taking over your domicile.
We are ready to handle your pests. Also, we are happy to answer your questions and concerns about pests in and around your home.
At Anteater Pest Control , we get a lot of questions about a specific, red-and-black insect that seems to appear out of nowhere in massive clusters. If you’ve seen these bugs congregating on your siding or windowsills, you’re likely dealing with Boxelder bugs. While they aren’t the most destructive pests we deal with, their presence in large numbers can be a major nuisance. Here is everything you need to know about identifying, managing, and preventing Boxelder bugs. Identification: Is it a Boxelder Bug? Before you take action, you have to know what you’re looking at. Boxelder bugs (Boisea trivittata) are easily identified by a few key features: Color : Dark brownish-black with three distinct reddish-orange stripes on the thorax (the area behind the head). Shape : An elongated, flattened oval shape, roughly 1/2 inch long. Wings : They have overlapping wings that form a distinct "X" shape on their backs. Why Are They Choosing Your Home? Boxelder bugs are highly attracted to heat and light. They are often found on the south and west-facing walls of buildings because those surfaces absorb the most sunlight. Their primary food source is the seed of the Boxelder tree, though they also frequent Maple and Ash trees. If you have these trees on or near your property, your home is essentially a "luxury resort" for them—providing food nearby and a warm place to rest. The "Nuisance" Factor The good news? Boxelder bugs do not bite, they don’t sting, and they don’t carry diseases. They also won't eat your food or damage your furniture. However, they present two main problems: Staining : If crushed, their body fluids can leave a permanent reddish-orange stain on curtains, carpets, and upholstery. Odors : When threatened or squashed, they release a pungent, foul-smelling defensive odor. Professional Solutions When Boxelder bugs move from a few sightings to a full-scale invasion, DIY methods often fall short. Because these bugs can hide deep within wall voids, professional intervention is the most reliable way to create a lasting perimeter barrier. At Anteater Pest Control, we use targeted treatments to stop these pests before they find their way into your living space. We don't just treat the symptoms; we help you identify the entry points to keep your home secure. Is your home becoming a hangout for Boxelder bugs?
Bats like to hibernate in homes where it is warm and dry. Keep a look out for these signs that bats are sleeping in your home this winter.
As fall arrives, the warmth and food in your home could draw in some unwanted visitors. As you prepare your home for winter, be wary of the following bugs.
Do you have squirrels in your house? If you would like to better protect it, keep reading to learn more about squirrels in your home.
Do you have snakes in your home? Read our blog to learn how snakes find their way into your home and how to prevent their presence.
What is West Nile virus, and do the mosquitoes in your area carry this disease? Take a look at what you need to know about this important issue.
Fleas, like so many insects and pests, can spread disease to humans. Learn more about the types of diseases fleas spread and how to treat them.
If you think an opossum lives in your home's exterior area, take a look at answers to the top opossum questions homeowners have so that you can take action.
You often detect moles from the raised tunnels the animals create. Learn why the deterrence of moles on your property is the best option.
Learn how to identify the differences between mosquito and tick bites so you know what kind of infestation you’re dealing with. Then call the pros.