They're Eating The House! What To Do When Carpenter Ants Invade Your Home
When it comes to pests, none do more damage than the carpenter ant. Like termites, carpenter ants feast on the wood portions of your home. If you've got carpenter ants, they're going to continue devouring your home until you get rid of them. Here are three steps you should take to eradicate the carpenter ants in your home and yard.
Search for Signs
Carpenter ants are voracious eaters. Once they find a house they like, they'll continue to eat until they've devoured all the wood in their path. If you suspect that you have carpenter ants on your property, you need to take steps to locate them. The good thing about carpenter ants is that they provide plenty of signs to point you in their direction.
The first thing you should look for are discarded wings along the perimeter of your home, especially on the window sills. The next thing you'll need to do is watch for sawdust trails, which will usually be located near small holes in the wood. Next, look for smooth, narrow grooves in the wood on your home, especially up under the eaves. Finally, do the tap test. Take a knife or screwdriver and tap on the wood. If the wood sounds hollow, or you're able to poke your sharp object right into the wood, you've got an issue with carpenter ants.
Eradicate the Infestation
Once you've determined that you're dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, you'll need to eradicate the infestation. This is a three-step process.
Bait the Trails
As soon as you locate the trails, fill them with bait. The bait will draw more of the colony out from their hiding places.
Treat the Perimeter
The next thing you'll need to do is provide perimeter treatment. Apply a pesticide along the entire perimeter of your home. This will ensure that the ants come in contact with the pesticide when they pass from the yard to your home.
Fill the Voids
Finally, locate the spaces where the ants have already done damage and fill them with pesticide foam. This will kill the ants that pass through the voids.
Prevent a Recurrence
After you have the problem eradicated, you'll need to prevent a recurrence. The problem with carpenter ants is that they like to return to a favorite feeding ground. To prevent a return engagement, clear the debris away from your home – including weeds, bushes and tall grass. Move wood piles out into the yard and away from your home. Finally, have a pest control company like Environmental Services Pest Control come out and do a thorough inspection of your property to ensure that the problem has been completely eradicated.