Anytime there is a risk of damage to the structure of your home, homeowners want to take every necessary step needed to avoid it. When you have wood destroying insects causing damage, it can end up costing the homeowner thousands of dollars in property damage. One of the insects that fall into that category are carpenter ants. There are several signs that you can look for and Stewart Termite & Pest Control is here to make sure you don’t miss any potential signs that point to carpenter ant infestations.
Carpenter Ant Identification
Carpenter ants are the largest ant species that are found in the U.S. They range in color from dark red to black. These ants are often mistaken for termites because they often look so similar. The main differences between termites and carpenter ants are the pinched waist and bent antennae. Termites don’t have a pinched waist and they have straight antennae.
Carpenter Ants VS Termites
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. They simply hollow out the structure so they can build their nest within it. The longer a carpenter ant colony is left to their devices, the more structural damage there will be. Carpenter ants feed off of sugary and greasy foods that are often found in your kitchen which make your home the perfect place for them to set up their nest for an easy food source.
Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestation
Carpenter ants will often leave behind little clues that indicate that you have a problem. Here are some of the signs that you should keep an eye out for.
• Spotting Ants– Often, when carpenter ants are foraging for food, they will travel in a line. If you happen to see one or two carpenter ants in your home, there is a good chance that there are more where they came from. Seeing carpenter ants is one of the major signs that indicate a problem.
• Sawdust Piles– When carpenter ants are working to hollow out the structure of your home and build their nest, they often leave behind small piles of sawdust everywhere. These small piles may be found in the corners of your house, crawlspaces or areas that are often dark and undisturbed.
• Wood Damage– If there is a carpenter ant colony in your walls, when you knock on the piece of wood, it will sound hollow. Carpenter ants are attracted to wood that has been damaged by water, so that’s another place that you should be always look for signs of carpenter ants.
• Rustling Noises– Carpenter ants are industrious. When they have a large nest in the walls of your home, you will likely be able to hear them working away behind your walls. It will sound like rustling cellophane.
Ant Control
If there are any of these signs that carpenter ants may be in your home, it is important that you contact the pest professionals at Stewart Termite & Pest Control for help. We can completely get rid of any carpenter ants before they end up causing major damage to your home. Call us today!