Seeing a single carpenter ant in your home doesn’t necessarily mean you have an infestation, but it can be a sign to be vigilant. Carpenter ants are primarily known for nesting in wood, which can lead to structural damage if an infestation is present.
Here are a few considerations to help you decide if you should be worried:
In summary, while one carpenter ant might not be a cause for immediate concern, it should prompt you to be more observant of potential signs of an infestation. Early detection and intervention are key to preventing significant damage.
Carpenter ants are one of the largest types of ants, ranging in size from 3/8 to 1 inch long. They are black or dark brown in color and have a smooth, shiny exoskeleton. Carpenter ants also have distinctive heart-shaped heads.
Carpenter ants are most active at night, so one of the first signs of their presence is seeing them crawling around your property after dark. Ant hills or mounds of sawdust near wood structures on your property are also a telltale sign of carpenter ants.
Carpenter ants do not eat wood like termites, but they can cause extensive damage to your home by tunneling through the wood to create their nests. If left unchecked, a carpenter ant infestation can weaken the structural integrity of your home and lead to expensive repairs.
Yes, Birch Fumigators offers carpenter ant pest control in Spruce Grove. We have a team of experienced and certified exterminators who can assess the situation and determine the best course of action. Contact us today to book your free consultation.
Carpenter ants are attracted to sweet foods and moisture. If you see a carpenter ant on your property, it’s likely that there is a food source nearby that is attracting them. Check for things like spilled sugar or open containers of fruit juice. You should also check for moisture sources like leaks or standing water.
To find a carpenter ant nest, begin by conducting a thorough inspection of the property, both indoors and outdoors. Look for signs of infestation, such as frass (sawdust-like material), damaged wood, and live ants, particularly the winged reproductive ants called swarmers. Pay close attention to areas with water damage or excessive moisture, as carpenter ants prefer nesting in moist wood. Observe ant trails between their nest and food sources, inspecting walls, baseboards, window frames, and door frames where ants have been seen.
In some cases, specialized equipment and techniques may be necessary to locate the nest. This can include using bait to follow ants back to their nest, employing moisture meters or infrared cameras to detect hidden moisture, or using acoustic detectors to identify the sounds produced by ants as they chew through the wood. Once the general location of the nest has been determined, visual confirmation might require removing sections of the wall or floor or using a boroscope to inspect hidden areas without causing significant damage to the structure.
est. 1900
est. 1900
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