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How do you know if carpenter ants are in your walls?

How do you know if carpenter ants are in your walls?

Carpenter ants are wood-destroying insects, but unlike termites, they do not consume wood. Instead, they excavate it to create nests and tunnels. Here’s how you can identify the presence of carpenter ants in your walls:

  1. Sawdust Piles: One of the most evident signs is the presence of fine sawdust-like material, called “frass,” near baseboards, door jambs, or window sills. As carpenter ants tunnel through wood, they create frass, which they kick out of their nests.
  2. Faint Rustling Noises: If you have a significant infestation, you may be able to hear a faint rustling or clicking noise when you place your ear against the walls. The sound is the result of the ants moving and chewing through the wood.
  3. Visible Damage: While often hidden, if you have exposed wood or are doing renovations, you might notice smooth, clean galleries in the wood. This is different from termite damage, which often has a muddy or dirty appearance because termites bring soil into the wood.
  4. Ant Activity: Spotting large black ants, especially in significant numbers, can be an indication. Carpenter ant workers and foragers can be seen going about their tasks. Finding winged ants indoors, especially during spring, is another sign of a potential nest within the structure. These winged ants are swarmers looking to start new colonies.
  5. Trailing: Carpenter ants typically have a main nest outside and may establish satellite nests inside structures. Observing ants moving in a trail, especially from your home towards an outside area, can be an indication of this behavior.
  6. Moisture Issues: Carpenter ants prefer damp or decaying wood to set up their nests. If there are areas in your home prone to moisture, such as leaky roofs or pipes, it increases the chance of a carpenter ant infestation.

 

If you suspect carpenter ants are in your walls, it’s essential to act swiftly. Over time, their tunneling can cause structural damage. It’s often advisable to consult with a pest control professional who can assess the extent of the infestation and recommend the best treatment options.

Ants, especially species like carpenter ants, choose to live in walls for a variety of reasons:

  1. Protection from Predators: Walls provide a safe refuge from many predators, ensuring the colony’s survival and the safety of the queen, who is crucial for reproduction.
  2. Stable Environment: Walls, especially those in human dwellings, offer a stable temperature and protect ants from extreme weather conditions, be it harsh winters or heavy rainfall.
  3. Moisture: Some parts of walls, especially those with plumbing or those affected by leaks, can be damp. Moisture attracts ants, especially carpenter ants, which prefer damp or decaying wood. This moist environment is conducive for the growth of fungi and other organisms that certain ants might feed on or use for their benefit.
  4. Easy Nesting Material: Walls often contain materials that are easy for ants to manipulate. For example, carpenter ants carve out wood to create intricate galleries and tunnels. Other ant species might find insulation, drywall, or other wall components to be suitable nesting materials.
  5. Proximity to Food: Walls in human dwellings are often close to consistent food sources. Ants can easily forage in kitchens, pantries, or other areas, then retreat back to the safety of the walls.
  6. Expansion and Satellites: Some ant species establish satellite colonies. A wall can provide an excellent location for such a satellite colony, especially if it’s near a food source and the main colony is becoming overcrowded.
  7. Natural Behavior: In nature, many ant species nest in protected cavities, whether in tree trunks, under bark, or in the ground. Walls mimic these natural nesting sites in many ways.

 

In essence, walls provide ants with a combination of safety, environmental stability, and resources, making them an attractive choice for nesting.

Ants

The ants come marching one by one. Take action if you see any ants or else more will come.

Professional Pest Control Services

Don't let bugs take over - call Birch Fumigators today! Get a Free Estimate (Within the Edmonton Area). Go with the best pest control company Edmonton.

Professional Pest Control Services

Don't let bugs take over - call Birch Fumigators today! Get a Free Estimate (Within the Edmonton Area). Go with the best pest control company Edmonton.

Related FAQs

Vinegar is a natural ant repellent and can be used to get rid of ants outside. Simply mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray the mixture around the perimeter of your home. The ants will not be able to cross the vinegar line and will be forced to find another way into your home.

The efficiency of ant control methods can vary based on specific circumstances, posing a challenge to offer a universal solution. However, it’s important to note that ant powder generally outperforms ant sprays in eliminating ants. Ant powder works by employing its active components to specifically target and eliminate ant colonies. Conversely, while ant sprays are commonly used, their effectiveness may not match that of ant powder. For personalized guidance on the ideal ant control method suited to your situation and effectively resolving your ant issue, consulting Birch Fumigators is recommended. Their expertise can assist in determining whether ant powder or ant spray better suits your specific needs for efficient ant elimination.

Borax is a white crystalline powder that is used as a household cleaner, ant killer, and laundry booster. It is also effective in treating fleas and lice on pets. When mixed with sugar, borax makes an effective bait for killing ants. However, we don’t recommend that you use poisons to kill ants without professional guidance. If you’re using borax as an ant bait, be sure to put it in a place where children and pets can’t reach it. You should also avoid inhaling the powder or getting it in your eyes.

You can try storebought ant poisons, but a simple mixture of boric acid and sugar works well, too. Just mix 3 parts boric acid with 1 part sugar, and sprinkle it around the outside of your home. The ants will be attracted to the sugar, and they’ll take the boric acid back to their nest, which will kill them all. You can also try using diatomaceous earth, which is a natural substance made from the fossils of algae. Its sharp edges will kill the ants when they walk over it. Just sprinkle it around the outside of your home, and they’ll eventually all be gone.

At Birch Fumigators, we recommend that you don’t use any poisons without a professional opinion, as some outdoor ant killers can actually do more harm than good. If you have an infestation, the best thing to do is contact a local ant removal specialist like us for help. We’ll be able to quickly and effectively get rid of your ant problem without causing any collateral damage.

There are a variety of natural methods that can be used to kill ants. For example, you can use diatomaceous earth, peppermint, tea tree oil, or vinegar, to name a few.

Birch Fumigators is one of Edmonton’s oldest and most reliable pest control companies. Birch Fumigators has been in business for over 100 years and has the experience and expertise to get rid of any type of pests. Birch Fumigators will inspect your property, identify the type of ants you have, and provide a treatment plan to get rid of the ants for good.

Professional exterminators typically use a combination of methods to control ant infestations, including:

  1. Baits: Ant baits contain a slow-acting insecticide that ants take back to their colony, ultimately killing the queen and the entire colony.
  2. Sprays: Exterminators may use residual insecticides to kill foraging ants and prevent future ant activity.
  3. Dusts: Fine insecticide dusts can be applied in wall voids, cracks, and crevices to kill ants and their nests.

 

The specific method used will depend on the type of ant, the location of the infestation, and the severity of the problem. Professional exterminators have access to a wide range of products and will choose the most appropriate and effective treatment for your specific ant problem.

BIRCH FUMIGATORS

est. 1900

Don't Let Bugs Get the Best of You

BIRCH FUMIGATORS

est. 1900

Don't Let Bugs Get the Best of You