Among the largest ants species in North America, carpenter ants cause damage to wooden structures by nesting inside walls. Out of the 50 species of carpenter ants in the United States, the black carpenter ant is the most commonly seen species in homes.
Just like most pests, carpenter ants are a nuisance to homeowners when they nest in bathrooms, pantries, kitchens, and in other areas with walls and wooden structures. While they do not eat wood materials, they are capable of stealing and contaminating food.
Appearance of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are larger than other ant species and contain elbowed antennae and a constricted waist that connects the abdomen with the thorax. Worker ants are usually between 1/8 and 1/2 inches long while the queens are about 3/4 inches in length. They generally vary in color and can be black, brown, or red.
Wood Damage
The extent and potential damage they may cause to a home depends on how long infestation has been active and how many nests are actually present within the wooden structure. Typically, wood rot from excessive moisture is the main cause of the damage. While larger carpenter ants can cause structural damage, the damage is usually insignificant.
How and When Do They Appear
Almost always, carpenter ants are seen in homes between the months of April and June. They are capable of traveling up to 100 yards to search for moisture, warmth, shelter, and food. These pests can make their way inside of your home by following phone cables, power lines, decks, trees that touch your house, or by easily climbing up the side of your home.
Preventing Carpenter Ants from Reoccuring
To ensure that carpenter ants stop entering your home, you must eliminate the conditions that make it possible for them to come inside. Some of the easiest and effective ways to do this is by:
- Replacing window frames, pillars, and posts that are rotted.
- Sealing chimneys and cracks in the foundation.
- Removing dead stumps.
- Ventilating crawl spaces and attics.
- Cutting back tree branches.
- Repairing roof leaks and damaged flashing.
- Cleaning clogged gutters.
Opt for a Carpenter Ants Exterminator by Contacting Hudson Pest Control
For carpenter ant pest control services, Hudson Pest Control is the very best choice. Our team of professional exterminators will help you get rid of the carpenter ants around your home and help you prevent them from reoccuring.
The longer carpenter ants stay in and around your home, the larger their nest network will be, and the more significant damage they will cause to your home. Therefore, it’s important to contact us as soon as possible so that you can free your home of carpenter ants once and for all.