What are carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants are large, destructive ants that invade our yards and homes in search of both food and shelter. They do vary in color, but most are black. Winged carpenter ants are often seen both inside and outside of a home. Reproductive carpenter ants swarm from their colony to find a mate and start a new colony. Ant swarms usually occur in the spring and are a sure sign that a carpenter ant nest is nearby.
Carpenter ants received their name because they create nests within wood. They prefer moist wood but also invade dry wood as well. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not feed on the wooden structures they infest; they only tunnel through them to create nests and expand the colony.
Are carpenter ants dangerous?
The damage that carpenter ants can cause while nesting inside of a home’s structural wood is why they are dangerous pests. Also, like other species of ants, foraging carpenter ants spread bacteria onto the surfaces of your home and contaminate food sources. If you are spotting large, black ants wandering around inside or outside your house, it is best to contact a professional. Take fast action to limit the amount of damage these destructive ants can cause inside your home.
Why do I have a carpenter ant problem?
Carpenter ants create their main nest outside. However, if your home is located close to their outdoor nest it is very common for ants to find their way inside of it while foraging for food. Once inside if they often decide to stay and create a satellite nest for their colony that is close to their new-found food sources. They prefer to invade pieces of wood that have been damaged by water to nest within. Water-damaged wood is easier for them to excavate and create their tunnels and nesting galleries.
Where will I find carpenter ants?
If you are seeing large black ants wandering around your yard, garden areas, sidewalks, walkway, or deck, they have a nest nearby. Outside these ants place their nests in fallen trees, tree stumps, or landscaping timbers. If they have found their way inside of your to nest, they usually make their way to parts of your home where there is most likely to be a moisture problem – behind walls or under floors located in kitchens and bathrooms. Dishwashers, sinks, washers, and tubs are known for being leaky and causing moisture problems.
How do I get rid of carpenter ants?
Getting rid of carpenter ants from your yard, home, or business is best left up to a professional. The professionals at Amco Pest Solutions will provide you with the year-round solutions needed to get rid of carpenter ants and prevent their return. Whether you are looking to get rid of a current carpenter ant infestation or prevent future problems with ants our family-owned and operated company is here to help.
Our professionals are committed to providing the pest control services needed to help home and business owners keep their properties free of carpenter ants and other common pests. Amco Pest Solutions provides residential pest control and commercial pest control services throughout New Jersey, the Five Borough of New York, and South Florida. Reach out today to learn more about our effective ant control solutions!
How can I prevent carpenter ants in the future?
How can I prevent carpenter ants in the future?
Remove excess wood from your yard that may act as nesting sites for carpenter ants- fallen trees, tree stumps, old piles of firewood, and decaying landscaping ties.
Inside your home repair leaky pipes or drains and replace any wood damaged by water.
Use dehumidifiers in basements to help lower humidity levels.
Outside your home limit excess moisture by fixing areas that collect standing water and keep gutters in good working order.
Help the soil and mulch around your home’s foundation stay dry by cutting back shrubbery.
Create a crushed stone barrier between the foundation and any mulch or soil.
Get rid of their easy access to food by keeping lids on trash cans, storing pet food in plastic or metal sealed containers, and keeping kitchen and pantry areas free of crumbs and spills.
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