Some ants steal food. Some ants invade homes. There are even some ants that cause property damage. Only one ant, however, does all three. If you have never heard of carpenter ants, we have a few things you need to hear. To prevent these home-destroying pests from coming onto your College Station property, use this clever, but effective, secret.
Carpenter Ants: More Than Home Invaders
Most ants species invade homes through pre-existing cracks, gaps, or openings and build their nests inside wall voids. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, build their homes directly in the wood of a house or other wood structure. Using their strong front mandibles, these pests chew out intricate pathways that interweave themselves through a structure. The more carpenter ants that are in a home, the more extensive property damage becomes.
How To Identify A Carpenter Ant Infestation
The good news is that carpenter ants do not eat wood as termites do. Why is this good? Well, it means these pests have to show themselves in order to get a bite to eat. Most often, this involves crawling into a home and scavenging for food out in the open. Identify a carpenter ant inside your home by its one-quarter to one-half-inch long red, black, or red and black body.
If carpenter ants find food outside your house but still use it as a location to build their nest, identification can be a bit more difficult. In this situation, we recommend starting your search outside. Inspect your home’s exterior first for live carpenter ants, then for tiny entrance holes. Frass (sawdust) stuck to walls or in piles around your house is another good way to know carpenter ants are nearby.
Finally, if all else fails, let the professionals at D. Lee Pest Services take a look. We have the tools and training needed to identify carpenter ant infestations in their earliest developmental stages and would be happy to come out and take a look for you.
Prevention Tips For Carpenter Ants
When it comes to preventing carpenter ants, you can either reduce your chances of an infestation, or 100% ensure these pests stay away. The difference is whether or not you invest in professional pest control.
If you absolutely cannot afford a pest control plan for your College Station property, here are a few ways to mitigate your risk of an infestation:
- Keep your lawn cut short and your landscaping well-trimmed.
- Cut back bushes and tree branches at least five feet from your home’s exterior.
- Eliminate sources of water buildup around your property.
- Make sure your gutters are in good working order.
- Use a caulking gun to fill in holes, cracks, and gaps in your home’s exterior.
- Fix broken window or door screens, door sweeps, and weatherstripping.
- Repair or replace water-damaged, rotting, or decaying structural wood around your home.
- Keep your home as clean as possible, making sure not to neglect beneath large kitchen appliances and furniture.
- Pick up and clean out your pet’s food and water bowls after they finish each meal.
If you are looking for a simpler way to eliminate carpenter ants, let the experts at D. Lee Pest Services help. Looking for an economical option that doesn’t break your budget? We have a plan for that. Worried that your home currently has a carpenter ant infestation? We offer detailed inspections. Care about the job getting done, right? We only use industry-leading equipment and advanced pest control methods when handling carpenter ants.
Reach out to us today to learn more about our home pest control and commercial pest control programs, or schedule an appointment to have your home treated for carpenter ants.