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Carpenter ants burrow into wood to create their nests, and an infestation can also be detected by faint rustling noises inside woodwork or walls. Furthermore, when large winged ants emerge from ceilings, walls and other hidden crevices, an infestation is almost certain. Unlike termites, wood damaged by carpenter ants does not contain mud-like debris. Instead, carpenter ant nests have a smooth, sandpapered appearance. Carpenter ants typically establish colonies in a moist environment, but will nest in dry wood.
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Measuring between 1/16th and 1/8th of an inch in length, they come in shades of brown or black. What sets them apart is their unique trait; when crushed, they emit a scent reminiscent of rotten coconuts. Found in significant numbers west of the Cascades in Washington, from Vancouver, B.C., to Portland, they are a common house pest in Southwest Washington. They can suddenly appear in kitchens, dining rooms, and other areas of the home, growing in number each day. If you're trying to get rid of ants using ingredients you already have on hand, you may have heard about using baking soda to kill ants.
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Once they do eat it, "baking soda reacts internally and generates carbon dioxide gas," says James Agardy, technical and training lead at Viking Pest Control. There can be more than one nest in a building, but only treat nests that have been discovered. Wingless queens found indoors are not an indication of an indoor nest.
Signs of Carpenter Ants Infestation
As ants tunnel through the ground, they redistribute nutrients by moving soil from place to place. The spaces they leave behind improve the air and water circulation within the soil. Beyond cinnamon, there are a few other ways to deter ants from invading your home. "Keeping your surroundings clean, especially your kitchen—will naturally aid in the decrease of ant populations," says Girard. But, if you find yourself dealing with an ant invasion and no cinnamon on hand, try these other methods for deterring and killing ants.
Top 3 Warning Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation
The easiest way to identify carpenter ants is to see them in or around your home. This sign, however, doesn’t always show up at the beginning of an infestation. When there are signs of carpenter ant infestation at the house, it’s better to leave it at the hands of a pest management professional like PermaKill Exterminating. Our experienced team is skilled when it comes to creating the right treatment plan to eliminate the pests in a property for good.
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One way to check if there is an active infestation is to clean up the frass pile and monitor the area. If the frass returns, carpenter ants are present in your home, and you should call in a pest control professional. They often establish routes between their nests and the areas where they forage for food as they travel between these locations frequently. These can look like long, skinny trails that are visible in a lawn’s grass. There isn’t likely to be activity on these trails during the day, but after sunset, the trails may be occupied by hoards of carpenter ants as they go out in search of their evening meal. To look for nests, the University of Georgia Extension Office recommends that homeowners take a look at any nearby trees that are at least 6 inches in diameter shortly after sundown.
Preventative Measures for Carpenter Ant Infestations
Catseye Pest Control has a tried and true Carpenter Ant Pest Control Program to evict these unwanted house guests. If you are concerned about carpenter ants in your home, contact us to schedule your free inspection. Carpenter ants damage wood by excavating and creating galleries and tunnels for their nest.
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A specialist can also set up a custom schedule for follow-up inspections and treatments. Carpenter ants are typically nocturnal and are often not out foraging for food during the daytime. In addition to spotting ants, you might notice another sign of carpenter ant activity called frass—what looks like bits of sawdust. You might spot frass on the floor or windowsill near baseboards or wood framing.
For example, you could use vinegar to deter these pests from entering your house in the first place. Ants rely on pheromone trails to find food, and vinegar can make this difficult for them. But carpenter ants are between ¼ and ½ an inch in size, so there are any number of entry points for these pests to gain access to your home.
Getting professional help ensures comprehensive and thorough treatment of carpenter ant infestations. In cases of severe carpenter ant infestations or when traditional control methods fail, it is advisable to seek the help of professional exterminators. These experts have the knowledge, experience, and specialized equipment to effectively eliminate carpenter ant colonies from your home. Professional exterminators can assess the extent of the infestation, formulate a targeted treatment plan, and provide long-term solutions to prevent future reinfestations. If you've noticed large black ants in your house, you may have a carpenter ant infestation.
It is crucial, however, to remain vigilant and not overlook signs of carpenter ant activity during winter. This is because nests can still be active indoors, particularly in heated environments that offer favorable conditions for their survival. To identify frass, look for small holes in wooden surfaces accompanied by piles of sawdust-like material. The presence of frass is a strong indication of an active carpenter ant infestation. It is important to address this issue promptly to prevent further damage to the structure of your home. Although the damage caused by carpenter ants is not as severe as the damage caused by termites, carpenter ant nests may cause significant damage over a period of years.
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