Carpenter ant infestations can often go undetected for long periods of time during which they will cause significant damage in the home. This is why it’s important to be aware of the signs that you have an infestation.
The presence of carpenter ants
The first main indication that you have a carpenter ant colony in the home is seeing the ants themselves. Carpenter ants are quite large, usually reaching half of an inch in length, and they are the only ant species that are this big and which enter the home. This makes it much easier to identify them when they forage for food. If you start to see these large ants crawling around inside your home or in your backyard, you can be certain that there is a carpenter ant colony somewhere in the area.
Signs of damage
The wood in which the colony is built will start showing signs of damage, but it can take a while before these signs are actually visible. This is because the ants will start hollowing out the core of the wood first, and then spread out towards the surface. Depending on the extent of the infestation, you may start to notice that the wood looks water damaged, that the paint on it starts to chip, that the wood buckles, or you could see the galleries on the surface of the wood. At this point, the infestation is quite advanced and it’s important to get in touch with a pest control team as soon as possible.
Preventing and controlling carpenter ant infestations
Carpenter ant infestations can be prevented by making sure that excess moisture is kept to a minimum inside the home, and by keeping all the food inside sealed containers. There are also some insecticides that can be used to deny ants access to the home, and ant baits can be used in a preventive capacity.
When it comes to controlling a carpenter ant infestation, the go to method is the bait, almost exclusively. However, it’s best to work with a pro when dealing with one of these colonies, because if they are not removed completely, you will have a reinfestation on your hands.
For more information about the signs of a carpenter ant infestation, or if you suspect that an infestation has started in your home, contact us today.
