Carpenter Ants

By Kaycee Marlett

Carpenter Ants The Intrusive Destructive Pest!

Most species of ants live outdoors but you will find some that come into the home. Carpenter ants are the most common to invade the indoors and they can be very annoying. Since they reproduce quickly your home may soon become infested by them. They are mainly black in color, with reddish brown and seem to be very tolerant of ant traps and poisons that people put out to kill them.

Some of various species have wings on them as well so they can be misidentified as other types of insects. They are often mistaken for termites because they can be found in the wood of your home. They also like moist areas so they tend to be in the kitchen and the bathrooms.They will also gather themselves in the attics where there may be a roof leaking.

Getting Rid Of Carpenter Ants

In order to get rid of carpenter ants, you will need to find out where their nests are. With hundreds of eggs being laid each day by the queen ant, you don’t want to wait to get started. You may want to try to get rid of them on your own. You can leave out food for the ants and then follow their trail back to the colony. Dabs of honey that are left out will definitely attract their attention.

The best time to track the carpenter ant seems to be at night. While most pest are not nocturnal, these pesky insects increase in activity at nightfall. Their home is usually a very decimated tree or stump that houses the entire colony, which when you locate it, can look like there are at least a million or so carpenter ants.

Boric acid is one of the most effective ways to kill them. Srinkling boric acid across the trail of the carpenters will work on those who cross that trail, however you need to locate,and track them back to the wood, walls, and other places in your home that they are located. There may be several colonies around so don’t stop your efforts when you come across one of them. If you are having a hard time locating the carpenter ants or your efforts with boric acid failed you will need to call a professional exterminator.

Taking Preventative Measures TO Avoid Carpenter Ant Infestation

You can help prevent carpenter ants from getting into your home by taking care of leaks right away. Remove dead wood from your yard too, as this can be where the carpenter ants start out. Don’t store wood for the fireplace too close to your home. It may be more convenient but you don’t want to be dealing with carpenter ants. They can move from there into your home in very little time. They often do this through cracks or where wires that run into your home. Seal these areas up as much as you can.

When it comes to having mulch or gardening items or old planters about your home you will want to make sure that the carpenter ant has not found a new place to call a rest stop or a home. Walking around your home with a flashlight, inspecting your garage and attic is the best way to determine the ants pathway. Eliminating old branches or taking down trees that over hang your home may very well be the solution of ridding yourself these pesky insects.

If you have done all that you are able and the Carpenter Ant is still a nuisance, you will need to call for the exterminator to rid yourself of these home destroyers.