HOW TO GET RID OF CARPENTER ANTS

What’s the fastest moving species which can lift 100 times their weight? The ant of course! There are over 12,000 different known species of ants around the world and hopefully none find their way into your home. An ant infestation is hard to get rid of because finding and controlling an ant nest is very difficult. This blog will cover how to identify Carpenter Ants and how to get rid of Carpenter Ants.

How to Identify Carpenter Ants

Sometimes Carpenter Ants are mistaken for termites because they are found near rotting wood and appear to be eating said wood. So how can you tell a Carpenter Ant from a termite? There are two tell-tale signs on how to identify Carpenter Ants. Simply look at their antennae; termites have a straight antennae whereas a Carpenter Ants’ antenna is bent. Also, termites have a very thick waist and a Carpenter Ants’ waist is very narrow. In the future, when you find yourself looking at a similar insect, remember how to identify Carpenter Ants by their narrow waist and bent antenna.

Carpenter Ants chew wood with their mandibles, creating a tunnel system known as galleries. Unlike termites, they do not actually consume wood. The leftover chewed wood is called frass, and looks very similar to small wood shavings. They are know to wreck havoc on electrical wires and structural lumber.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ants are a common pest in homes and other buildings. Common areas to find and get rid of Carpenter Ants are areas that are most vulnerable to moisture, such as:

• Under windows

• Roof eaves

• Decks and porches

• Tree stumps

• Wood storage piles

Finding and controlling a Carpenter Ant nest is very difficult. Look out for the obvious signs of an infestation by inspecting areas of high moisture, wood that is in contact with soil, areas where ventilation is poor, and exposed structural lumber. Most of the time a high concentration of ants is usually found under the kitchen sink. Another way to track and get rid of Carpenter Ants is to look for foraging ants and their patterns of movement after the sun goes down. If Carpenter Ants are active in your home, listen for sounds of an active colony at night. You will hear a dry rustling noise in the walls when the activity of the colony is high.  

Prevent and Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

To prevent Carpenter Ants from infesting your home, you have to start by preventing easy access to your home.

• Seal exterior cracks

• Cut away branches and tree material that are close to or touches your home

• Remove damp wood or other sources of moisture near your home

• Clear decaying or infested wood from around your home

• Remove firewood from inside or away from the side of your home

• Avoid burying tree stumps or other wood debris near your home

• Correct humidity problems inside your home

• Keep dry food in sealed containers

• Remove food and water sources (ie. leaky faucet)

• Keep your home clean - regularly sweep or vacuum

If you think you have an ant infestation, call a trusted professional pest control company like Environmental Pest Control to get rid of Carpenter Ants once and for all.