Carpenter ants are voracious pests. They’re known to bite humans and pets, and they can cause serious damage when invading a home. Because of their destructive nature, it’s important to learn how to get rid of carpenter ants for good.
Fortunately, it’s not as difficult as you think to keep them from returning with these helpful hints. Before you begin your extermination plan, however, make sure you read this guide first so you know what type of carpenter ant you have in your home and what steps to take afterwards.
Here we’ll explain how to get rid of carpenter ants for good using the right methods at the right time. Keep reading for more information on how carpenter ants invade homes, the different types of carpenter ants and how they spread disease in your home
How Carpenter Ants Invade Homes
Carpenter ants are wood-feeding termites that nest underneath the wood. These ants intermingle with these termites when they travel from tree to house in search of food. To enter a home, a carpenter ant must first find an entry point. Some of the entry points a carpenter ant may use include: – Water Damage – If a home has experienced a leak, the solution will be exposed wood that the termites can feed on. As a result, the carpenter ants will come to this area to find food. – Cracks and Crevices – Carpenter ants can enter a home through small openings such as gaps in the foundation, cracks in windows, doors, and walls and around pipes. – In the Air – Carpenter ants can enter a home through openings in the roof such as roof vents, skylights, and chimneys.
What Kind of Carpenter Ant Is in Your Home?
There are more than 200 species of carpenter ants in North America. Once the ants have entered a home, they may elect to invade new buildings nearby. These ants can be orange, black, brown, red, or white. The different species of carpenter ants differ in their habitat preferences, their movement, and their food preferences. The most common species of carpenter ants in the United States are: – Camponotus pennsylvanicus – These ants prefer dry, wooded areas with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. – Camponotus pennsylvanicus – These ants prefer dry, wooded areas with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. – Paratrechina altaica – These ants prefer more humid areas with a lot of vegetation. – Paratrechina longicornis – These ants prefer more humid areas with a lot of vegetation.
Types of Carpenter Ants and Their Behaviour
The best way to identify the different types of carpenter ants is to observe their behaviour. The most common types of ants in the US are: – Food-storage ants – These ants store food in their nests as a way of ensuring a steady supply of food for their colony. – Food-gathering ants – These ants tend crops or gather food for their consumption. They are a nuisance because they will attack humans and pets when disturbed. – Soldier ants – Soldier ants protect the colony from intruders. Some species of soldier ants can be aggressive. – Nurse ants – Nurse ants protect the queen and young in the nest. They do not pose a threat to humans.
Cease Carpentry Activities When You See Carpenter Ants
If you notice signs of carpenter ants in your home, you should stop all construction activities until the ants are gone. The sooner you stop, the better. The best way to prevent the ants from coming back is to seal up any holes they can use as entry points. Below are some steps you should take: – Seal all cracks in windows, doors, walls, and foundations – This will prevent both the original carpenter ants and any new carpenter ants from re-entering your home. – Seal up utility pipes – If there are gaps in your foundation or cracks in your walls and foundations, seal these up with caulk or other sealing materials. – Clean out crawl spaces – If you have a crawl space, clean it out.
This will prevent any new carpenter ants from entering your home. – Sweep up piles of wood – Sweep up all piles of wood and other debris that could provide a suitable nesting area for new carpenter ants. – Seal items in your home – If you have food items stored in your home, seal them up so the carpenter ants can’t get to them.
Install Traps for Carpenter Ants and Other Insects
Traps for Carpenter Ants – Carpenter ants love sweet things. If you see them near a sweet-tasting item, it’s a good indication that they are nearby. You can try to lure them away by sprinkling sugar or honey near the item. Traps for Mosquito Larvae – Mosquito traps can help you capture and kill mosquito larvae. Traps for Crickets – If you notice a cricket infestation in your home or garden, you can try buying a cricket trap to kill these pests.
Conclusion
Carpenter ants are one of the most common types of ants in North America. These ants prefer dry, wooded areas with a mix of deciduous and coniferous trees. They can enter your home through small openings such as gaps in the foundation, cracks in windows, doors, and walls and around pipes.
Once they enter a home, they will look for food. Carpenter ants are known to store food in their colonies as a way of ensuring a steady supply of food for their colony. To prevent the ants from re-entering your home, seal all cracks in windows, doors, and walls and any holes the termites can use as entry points. You can also sweep up piles of wood and other debris that could provide a suitable nesting area for the termites.
