The idea of having any kind of bug in your home can be quite disturbing. What can make matters even worse, however, is suspecting that the intruding pest can cause structural damage to your residence. Carpenter ants, though not as destructive as termites, are one type of insect you do not want to find on your property. Consider a few key pieces of information that may equip you to spot an infestation, eliminate conditions the ants like, and know when to call cape coral pest control companies.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are generally one quarter to one half inch long and have darkly colored bodies. On top of that, they have bent antennaes and are relatively small in their waist region.
Despite the fact that carpenter ants do not look very different from many other types of ants, these pests have unique lifestyles. Namely, they like to nest inside wooden objects. While a fallen tree might be their first choice in the wild, they are also partial to the wood making up houses, especially if the wood is rotting or damp.
Though it may be difficult to spot the tunnels they make in wood, a sure sign that carpenter ants are present is the sight of small piles of what appears to be sawdust. Carpenter ants don’t eat the wood they carve out, so they remove it from their tunnels, forming these characteristic piles.
Preventing an Infestation
One of the best ways to protect your interior and exterior wooden surfaces from carpenter ants is to eliminate nearby moisture. Be sure to fix leaks under sinks, for instance, and replace rotting window frames. It is also important to make your home less inviting to carpenter ants by stacking firewood well away from the siding of your house. Additionally, trim back tree branches that brush against your home.
Calling in Professional Help
If your carpenter ant problem appears to be serious, it’s important to reach out to a pest control specialist right away. This way, you can be sure all the ants are eliminated from your home and won’t return. Though you cannot reverse any damage done to wooden structures, you can prevent any more tunneling from occuring.
No one wants to find that their deck, windows, or furniture have become nesting grounds for carpenter ants. Be sure to keep an eye out for these little critters and respond quickly if you suspect a colony has settled into your home.