Carpenter Ants

Carpenter Ant – Type Of Insect?

Carpenter ants are tiny insects that are visible to the naked eye. They feature several characteristics, including two antennas and three body sections, with a mixture of red and black coloring. Carpenter ants are generally living in colonies of all sizes. They travel, live, and work together to create underground passageways and shelters away from danger. Carpenter ant mounds can be found in grass, along concrete pathways, indoors, and on walkways. Their powerful mandibles are utilized to excavate through wooden structures and downed trees, which are utilized to build nests. Generally, carpenter ants are either brown, red, or black, with the occasional multi-colors. Worker ants measures between 1/8 to ½ inch in length while the queen grows up to 5/8 inches in length.

Carpenter Ant – Signs Of A Home Infestation

There are several signs of an infestation, including the following:

• Strange Noise – Working carpenter ants generate a strange sound when gnawing on wood and other materials. If you place your ear close to the area ants are working in, you will most likely hear them.
• Strange Sightings – Moderate to severe infestations are generally very noticeable. One particular strange sighting that comes to mind is a long line of carpenter ants.
• Trails Of Sawdust – Carpenter ants spend most of their time creating nests, indoor entrance points, and shelters. They will leave a trail of sawdust when gnawing through wooden structures.
• Ants With Wings – Carpenter ant colonies are comprised of “swarmers.” These ants are responsible for foraging food. When swarmers are detected, it is likely your home is infested by a large colony of carpenter ants.

Carpenter Ant Infestations – Why Is My Home A Target?

Carpenter ants target any home or business with essential resources, such as food, safe shelter, and a warm environment. If your home offers these ant essentials, it will become a target at some point in time. These ant species are drawn to rotting wood that they utilize to build nests. When a colony of carpenter ants moves into a home, there is generally a larger colony someone on the exterior of your property. The colony that broke off from the larger colony is known as a “satellite.” Carpenter ants do not move into homes because they prefer indoors to outdoors. No, it is the exact opposite.

Carpenter Ant Infestations – Do They Pose Risks To Human Health?

No, carpenter ant infestations do not pose a health risk for humans or ants. However, they do pose risks to your home and other assets. They will gnaw through wooden structures causing mild to severe damage.

Carpenter Ant Infestations – How To Quickly Eradicate?

There are several ways to eradicate a carpenter ant infestation. These include DIY and commercial ant control solutions. DIY ant control generally involves over-the-counter pesticides and traps while commercial pest control is commercial-grade pesticides and eradication methods. Our carpenter ant pest control starts with a full in-home inspection, followed by the administration of pesticides and traps.

Carpenter Ant Infestation – Is It Possible To Eradicate Without Commercial Extermination Assistance?

Yes, but only in certain cases. For example, severe carpenter ant infestations involve hundreds if not thousands of ants, making them even more difficult to completely eradicate. DIY ant control is effective when targeting mild carpenter ant infestations. However, it will not have much impact on a moderate or severe infestation. Homemade, natural remedies have little to no positive effect on carpenter ant infestations. Chemical-based pesticides are necessary to fully eradicate ant infestations in all life stages. These products do not pose a health risk to humans, animals, plants, or the environment when administered properly. Our carpenter ant exterminators and technicians follow the package instructions to avoid all potential health risks.

When To Expect The Carpenter Ant Technician To Arrive At My Home?

When you contact our local Los Angeles office, you will be connected to one of our carpenter ant experts. When you request a free in-home carpenter ant inspection, the expert will schedule an appointment for you at your earliest convenience. In most cases, the representative will dispatch an exterminator out to your home within 24 to 48 hours.

Is Carpenter Ant Treatment Harmful?

As mentioned previously, when carpenter ant DIY and commercial pesticides are administered per the manufacturer’s recommendations, they will not pose risk for the home’s occupants or assets. Our pesticides have been approved by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EPA-approved ant control products have been deemed “safe” when administered per the State of California’s pesticide guidelines.

Carpenter Ant Infestation Prevention

It is possible to prevent future carpenter ant infestations. With the help of one of our qualified exterminators, you will be able to create a barrier around your home to keep carpenter ants at bay. We will continue to work with you until it is determined the prevention plan is determined to be 100 percent effective.

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