Learn How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants In Your Home
If you have been seeing large, black ants in your home, there is a good chance that they are carpenter ants. Carpenter ants can be a real problem, and if left untreated, they can cause significant damage to your home.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to get rid of carpenter ants. We will start by discussing how to inspect for carpenter ant nests and how to identify them. Then, we will discuss how to get rid of them using various methods. Last, we will discuss how to prevent future infestations.
How To Inspect For Carpenter Ants
The beginning step in getting rid of carpenter ants is to thoroughly inspect your home for them and find the nest. You should look for them both inside and outside. Carpenter ants typically nest in damp, decaying wood. If you see any giant black ants inside your home, it is a good idea to follow them to see where they are coming from.
If you think you have a carpenter ant infestation, the first step is to locate the nest. Typically, carpenter ants build their nests in damaged wood, so you may be able to find it by looking for wood shavings or other signs of damage. Another way to locate the nest is to follow the ants themselves.
Carpenter ants are attracted to food sources, so if you see them in your home, they may be leading you to the nest. Once you've located the nest, take a close look at it and examine for signs of damage. If you see any large, black carpenter ants, that's a good indicator that there's a problem.
In some cases, carpenter ants can also be found in tree stumps or other areas outside the home. If you suspect that you may have a carpenter ant problem in one of these areas, it's best to address the issue quickly. Once you have spotted the nest, you can determine the best way to get rid of the carpenter ants.
How To Identify Carpenter Ants
Black carpenter ants are fairly easy to spot, as they are significantly larger and have prominent heads and mouthparts.
Black Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants (Camponotus pennsylvanicus) are large, black ants typically between 1/4th and 3/8th inches long. They have six legs and two straight antennae. If you see an ant that looks like this, there is a good chance it is a black carpenter ant.
Queen ants are enormous, measuring in at over half an inch.
In a span of roughly 3 to 4 four years, a black carpenter ant colony will mature. Every year, they'll swarm in the late spring or early summer.
There is, however, another type of carpenter ant that resides in Florida and other southeast regions of the United States.
Florida carpenter ants prefer to nest in soft woods, and are typically smaller than black carpenter ants.
Florida Carpenter Ants
These carpenter ants are typically smaller than the black carpenter ants. They feature a red head with a black thorax, abdomen, and legs.
They usually measure between 3/16ths to 3/8ths of an inch, although their queens can grow to over half an inch.
Each nest can contain up to 3,500 workers and will often be found in existing voids or soft rotting woods. Occasionally their nests can even be found in styrofoam.
How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are pesky little creatures that can wreak havoc on your home if they're not dealt with quickly and efficiently. While they don't actually eat the wood, they tunnel through it, and their nests can cause severe damage to your doors, windows, and framing.
Once you've located the nest, the next step is to get rid of the carpenter ants. There are a number of non-repellent pesticides, baits, dusts, and foams available that can be effective in dealing with these pests. However, it's crucial to use caution when using these products. Some can be harmful to humans and pets if misused.
Non-Repellent Insecticides For Carpenter Ants
Non-repellent insecticides are an excellent way to provide a perimeter treatment to stop foraging carpenter ants.
We highly recommend these non-repellent insecticides:
Carpenter Ant Baits
The best method of applying carpenter ant bait is to place it where you've located their trails. Their foragers will take the bait back to their colony, eventually killing it at its source.
We recommend using baits both inside and outside, and to use a variety of different baits to maximize effectiveness.
These are some of the most effective carpenter ant baits available:
Dusts For Carpenter Ants
You'll want to treat the voids (hollow areas) where carpenter ants live. It's important never to use a liquid insecticide in these areas. Instead, we recommend using Delta Dust with a quality duster.
Some people may recommend creating a boric acid mix, but we find dusts and other methods to be less of a hassle and more effective.
Carpenter Ant Foam
Another excellent option for treating carpenter ant voids is aerosol foam. FUSE Foam quickly expands to fill carpenter ant infestations, making it a fantastic choice for treating hard-to-reach nests.
Preventing Carpenter Ants From Returning
You can do a few things to prevent carpenter ants from returning. First, trim tree branches that are close to your home. Carpenter ants like to use these branches as a bridge, and by cutting them back, you'll make it more difficult for the ants to access your home.
Second, if you have any moisture problems in your home, be sure to address them. Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so fixing any leaks or other sources of water will help keep them away.
Third, store firewood at least 20 feet away from the foundation, preferably in an elevated location. Carpenter ants love to nest in firewood, so this is a crucial prevention step.
Finally, seal any cracks or gaps in your home's exterior. This will help prevent carpenter ants from finding their way inside. If you take these steps, you'll be much less likely to see carpenter ants in your home.
When Searching For How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants, Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Is Here To Help
At Do-It-Yourself Pest Control, we have everything you need to get rid of carpenter ants and keep them from coming back.
We carry a wide variety of carpenter ant baits, dusts, foams, and insecticides that are sure to resolve your ant problem.
And if you're not sure what product is right for your situation, our pest control professionals are always happy to help. Email our team or give us a call today. We will be glad to help you get rid of those pesky carpenter ants!
Now that you know how to get rid of carpenter ants, share this blog post with your family and friends so they can be prepared too! And be sure to check our full selection of carpenter ant control products here.
