It’s safe to say that you don’t want any kind of pests in your Houston home. However, if those pests are going to destroy the structural wood inside of your home, then you really want to keep them out. And when it comes to carpenter ants, that’s exactly what might happen. That’s because carpenter ants build their colonies inside of wood, damaging or destroying it in the process. Therefore, catching a carpenter ant infestation before it is allowed to cause too much damage can save you money on costly repair bills. That’s why it’s so important for you to know the signs of a carpenter ant infestation. Additionally, you should know some steps to help keep carpenter ants out, as well as the effective carpenter ant treatment solutions you can count on should your Houston home become infested.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Due to the damage that they can inflict on wood, carpenter ants are often confused with termites. However, while termites eat wood, carpenter ants only build their colonies inside of it. Furthermore, while you are not likely to ever spot a termite in your home, you very well may spot carpenter ants, as they still must venture out to forage for food. Being able to identify carpenter ants can help determine if you have an infestation.
Carpenter ants grow to be about 5/8th of an inch long and are typically black or red in color. They have segmented bodies, six legs, antennae, strong mandibles, and some have wings. Carpenter ants live in colonies that are made up of three different castes: workers, soldiers, and reproductives, which have wings. While the workers and soldiers are tasked with feeding and protecting the colony, respectively, the reproductives will set out at certain times of year to create new colonies.
Signs Of A Carpenter Ant Infestation
Because carpenter ants still must forage for food, one of the biggest indicators that you have an infestation is simply spotting the ants around your home. Additional signs of carpenter ant infestations include:
- The appearance of small holes in wood in your home.
- Piles of sawdust-like wood shavings beneath these holes.
- Soft rustling noises coming from the walls.
- The appearance of shed wings from reproductives on the surfaces of your home.
If you notice any of these signs, be sure to contact the professionals here at White Knight Pest Control right away.
Carpenter Ant Prevention Tips
As carpenter ants prefer to build their colonies in soft, moisture-damaged wood, addressing any moisture problems in your property can help to keep them out. Additionally, taking away any food sources and sealing off entry points can also aid in keeping your property free of carpenter ants. To accomplish this, you should:
- Remove or replace any decaying or water-damaged wood in your home.
- Fix any leaky pipes or fixtures.
- Use dehumidifiers to address any moisture issues.
- Store food in airtight containers or the fridge.
- Wipe up any spills from countertops or floors immediately.
- Take out the trash regularly, and store trash in bins with tight-fitting lids.
- Seal any cracks in the foundation of your home.
- Install door sweeps under exterior doors.
- Install weather stripping around windows and exterior doors.
- Trim back tree branches from the exterior of your home.
Carpenter Ant Treatment Solutions
If you do find yourself dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, time is a factor, so, don’t delay and contact the professionals here at White Knight Pest Control right away. We offer a variety of pest control plans to best fit your needs and to ensure that your home stays carpenter ant-free all year long. Don’t let carpenter ants destroy the inside of your home. Give us a call today.