How to Identify and Remove Carpenter Ants

 

People often complain about having trouble with Carpenter ants. It is quite common in the US as these species of ant are fairly common there. Nevertheless, It is noticeable that people are more than annoyed with these ants. But do you know how to identify and remove carpenter ants? This might not sound like much but being able to identify the type of ant that infest your house is very important. People often do not know that much about these ants. Are you one of those people who don’t know what to do? Worry not! All you have to do read this blog, and you’ll learn everything one needs to know about carpenter ants. 

This blog shall provide you much useful information. By the end, you’ll learn how to identify these ants, What to do if carpenter ants bite you as well as how to get rid of carpenter ants? However, before getting into the advanced stuff, you must know what carpenter ants are. Therefore, the First thing this blog will discuss is what carpenter ants are and how to treat ants pest control. Thus, without further adieu, lets dive into it.

What Is a Carpenter Ant? How to Identify Them?

When you hear the name “Carpenter Ants” You might wonder why it is called that. Is it because it eats wood-like termites? Well, it is a common misconception made by people. They often think carpenter ants and termites are the same. However, this is not the case. While termites are known for eating wood, these species of ants are quite different. They are called Carpenter Ants because they make their nests in wood. Though they do not eat wood, they are known for excavating wood while creating a tunnel inside. 

Coming to the physical appearance these ants have varying sizes. But they usually fall between ½” and ⅝”. Apart from there is not just a single type of Carpenter ants. There are as many as 24 known kinds of these ants in the US alone. Plus, the size and color of these ants also differ from species to species. There are cases where different sizes and colors are seen within the same colony. For instance, they can be black, red, brown, yellow, orange, or red and black color. Even though these are some of the largest ant types you can’t rely on that to identify them. Thus, it is very hard to identify these ants without the help of experts.

Moreover, these ants have 6 legs, and their body is divided into three major parts which can be easily seen with the naked eye. Another identifying feature is a minute ring of hairs that is on the abdomen. However, it can hardly be seen without help on lenses. 

Now that you have understood what are Carpenter ants and their basic physical characteristics, You are ready to identify their infestation in your house. The next section of the blog shall be disusing the very same. 

How to Identify Carpenter Ants Infestation?

Now that you understand what Carpenter ants are. Let’s look at how to distinguish Carpenter ants infestations. Carpenter ants are known for their nesting habits, as mentioned previously. Thus, identifying the infestations can be achieved through following their trails and looking for a nesting area.

One of the simplest things you can do is to look for the worker ants. By following the worker ants’ trails you can easily locate the nesting areas of carpenter ants. After locating the general area, you can look for the cavities in wood. These cavities are usually very clean and smooth. You must keep an eye for slit-like on the surface of the wood. Because they also build their nests in such areas. 

Moreover, if you see wood shaving piles, there is also a sign of a nesting area. These are usually seen below the cavities leading to the nests. Apart from wood shaving, you should also look for or fragments of insulation and insect body parts.

Furthermore, you should also know that Carpenter ants usually affect the wood softwood. So keeping an eye out for excess moisture and soft, rotting wood around the home can help you in your goal of identifying infestations by these troublous ants. 

Now that you know how to identify carpenter ants in the house, you might ask how to get rid of Carpenter ants. You’ll get this answer by the end of this blog. Till then, hold tight while we look at another common concern related to these ants. 

Can Carpenter Ants Bite You? What Are the Side Effects?

It is a common question asked by people, Can carpenter ants bite you? And What happens when they do. The answer to this question is yes, they can bite you. These ants bite people when their nests are disturbed, which means they bite as a defense. Also, due to their larger than normal size, carpenter ants bites are known to be very painful. These bites will also break your skin. 

Moreover, they are also known for attacking by spraying a defensive chemical on their foes, and it is known as formic acid. It is sprayed on the bite sight. It adds to the pain even more. These bites along with the nesting problems they create are the main reason they must terminate. 

Things You Must Consider to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Finally, you’ll get the answer to your long-awaited question, How to get rid of carpenter ants.  It is understandable that these Troublesome ants. Getting rid of these ants will be easier now, as you have learned about their physical characteristics, their nesting habits, and how to identify the same. Plus, the blog also taught you potential risks from these ants. Now you are all geared up to deal with this devilish infestation.

There are several things that you can keep in mind while dealing with these ants. 

• Carpenter ants need a source of water to stay alive. Thus, by cutting off this supply of water to the colony, you can exterminate them effectively. Doing this will save your house from brown, red, or black carpenter ants.
• These pests are also known to enter a home through tree branches. So by keeping trees or plants around your house trimmed and cutting off any branches that touch your house can also help you deal with these ants. 
• By making sure there are no large enough cracks or openings around your doors and windows. These ants can also infiltrate your home through these areas. You can seal these openings by using a silicone-based caulk, as it is known to be effective. 
• Another simple trick you can use to deal with carpenter ants in the house is this; you can keep all the firewood material away from the infected area because these are most likely to be target by these ants.

Can’t Deal with Carpenter Ants on Your Own? Don’t Worry Control My Pest Has Got You covered?

Now that you have read through the entire blog, you know what these ants are, how to identify their nesting as well as how to deal with them. Plus, you also understand the risks if you approach these ants. These are all the things you need to deal with these ants. In other words, you understand how to get rid of carpenter ants. However, there is a tiny problem. Despite all the information these ants can be a real pain. They are more than 20 species of these ants and one cannot use the same ways to deal with all of them. Its hard even to identify what type of ants these are. So what Do you Do? Well, worry not, the only thing you have to reach out to us at Control my Pest and get the best Florida Pest control service. So if you are searching “best pest Control Company near me”. Your search is over.  Through this, you can book an appointment with a team of experts, who have been doing this job for decades.  These experts will help you get rid of possums in no time.

Professionals at Control my pest know and understand How to identify and remove carpenter ants. Plus, this service you hurt your pockets either. Understandably, dealing with pests can be financially and physically tiring. Plus, you might not even have time to do it. People are busy with their professional lives. Call experts from Control my pest who can solve all of your Ants pest control problems at affordable rates. They are also the best woodlice extermination service provider in the US.