Carpenter Ants
Avoid attempts to perform your own pest control with the first chemical you find in your cupboard. Get an inspection by a professional or you easily could make the problem worse.
Natural Habits of a Carpenter Ant
Natural Habits of a Carpenter Ant
All species of carpenter ants mainly attack wood that is softened by moisture and/or damaged by mold. In Maine we have red and black carpenter ants and their habits and sizes are similar, but the black ant is more common. The carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may soon begin building paths through dry, undamaged wood. They usually come into buildings through windows, water leak around chimney, leaking water pipes cracks around doors/frame, floors especially were soil touches wood, any open holes in building structure. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground
Environment
Environment
The carpenter ants are nocturnal, unless under stress due to lack of water. They build their nests outdoors in various wood sources, including tree stumps, hallow logs, firewood or landscaping. They need a constant water source to survive. Carpenter ants will enter the house through wet, damaged wood.
Carpenter Ant Prevention
Carpenter Ant Prevention
Carpenter ants require a water source. To prevent carpenter ants in the house, eliminate sources of moisture or standing water. Keep tree branches and other plants cut back from the house. Sometimes pests use these branches to get into your home. Make sure that there are no cracks or little openings around the bottom of your house. Sometimes pests use these to get into your home. Make sure that firewood and building materials are not stored next to your home. Check firewood before bringing inside.
Menace that causes destruction to buildings
Menace that causes destruction to buildings
Course sawdust is a sure sign, but is often difficult to find the nest. The black Carpenter ants are a common invader of homes and damage wood through their nest building. If you notice black carpenter ants, contact Certified Pest Management professionals immediately to help start a proper course of ant control.
A false sense of security can be derived from a nest that is only partially killed. Since there is no consistent way of verifying, the colony will become virtually non-visible and won’t show back up again until it has regenerated itself. It can take months to tell for certain whether a problem is fully eradicated. For this reason, opting for continued periodic service treatment is much wiser plan of attack than a one-time treatment. Also, money spent on a more thorough treatment process will often pay for itself in as little as 6 months or a year. Keep in mind the goal of successful carpenter ant extermination; to increase the likelihood of a more through colony kill and then start practicing preventative integrated pest management practices.