Some ants are mainly nuisance pests in search of food and water. The carpenter ant on the other hand, is a significant wood-destroying insect that can cause quite a bit of damage to homes and businesses. Carpenter ants are large black or brown ants that are actually among the largest in the United States, ranging from 0.13 to 1/2 and inch in length. They can be winged or wingless and can cause serious damage if permitted to remain in the structural wood of a building. Winged carpenter ants are often mistaken for termites, a more serious problem. They prefer to nest in decayed, often water-damaged wood. Winged ants inside or outside a home year-round indicate an infestation.
Do I Need to Worry About Carpenter Ants Making Me Sick?
Carpenter ants do not spread diseases or infections but they can still be dangerous to humans. When their nests are disturbed they bite to defend themselves. The bite from one of these ants can be painful and possibly break the skin. They also spray formic acid when they bite that may increase the pain. When they are in your home they can contaminate water and food sources. The real danger with these pests however is the damage they can do to wood. This is a concern to the safety of our homes.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Seeing these pests is the obvious sign you have a problem. Carpenter ants do no consume the wood so you will see piles of wood shavings beneath wooden items or little piles of “frass” which is a sawdust looking material left behind by the ants. They are nocturnal and you may be able to hear their activity in your walls. Carpenter ants will create a main colony first. They will then form satellite nests meaning you may not have a nest in your home but they will travel far distances in and out of your home.
How Do You Prevent Carpenter Ants?
Preventative measures will guard against infestations. There are steps you can take to prevent these pests. Moisture problems due to roof and plumbing leaks should be taken care of. Limbs or branches on trees that serve as an entry into your home should be trimmed. Cracks and openings around the foundation of you home should be sealed. Firewood should also be stacked away from the house and off ground if possible because they love to nest in firewood. To control an infestation it is imperative to find the nest. Once you locate the source of the problem there is the application of insecticides and sprays. The most common way to rid your home of carpenter ants is to spray or dust the perimeter. There are foams that can be effective inside voids that the ants create. Baits have become the most efficient way to control carpenter ants. Baits work so well because they decrease the number of ants in an area making it harder for them to enter you home.
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If a carpenter ant infestation is caught early enough there will be no serious damage and plenty of time to plan safe and effective ways to control the infestation. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control can ensure you get rid of carpenter ants completely, keeping your home safe from damage. A Five Star Termite & Pest Control is waiting for your call!
