What is a carpenter ant?
Carpenter ants are a social species of insect that live in large colonies and work together to excavate wood and create neat tunnels and nesting areas within the wood. It is important to note that carpenter ants do not eat the wood that they excavate. Carpenter ants are a large ant species. The workers are about ¼ of an inch in length and the queens are about ¾ of an inch in length. These ants are generally black in color, but can be red, black or a combination of both.
Why do I have them?
Carpenter ants invade homes through cracks and crevices found in foundations, around windows and doors, and in exterior walls as they search for food and water sources. Like other ant species, they can be found marching through kitchen areas foraging for food. Once inside your home they may create satellite nests behind walls and in structural wood. Carpenter ants are drawn to wood that has been previously damaged by water.
Are they dangerous?
Carpenter ants are not considered to be dangerous to people and they generally do not bite. However, carpenter ants are dangerous to the structure of homes. The tunnels that they excavate throughout the wood in a house can weaken its structural integrity and be quite expensive to repair. Carpenter ants also can contaminate food sources as they forage for food throughout kitchen and pantry areas.
Can I do it myself?
Do-it-yourself carpenter ant control is not recommended. The pesticides that can be bought at big box stores are often ineffective and will end up costing you more in both time and money. They can also be dangerous for you, your family, pets, and plants to be around if they are not mixed, placed or used properly. Carpenter ants are usually hidden away in your home, so you may get a false sense of security that you have rid yourself of them when they are still there tunneling through your house. Also DIY pest control does not do anything to treat the root issue of your carpenter ant problem, which is how and why they are entering into your home. For pest control services that effectively resolve carpenter ants, Schendel Pest Services is the ideal choice.
How soon can you get here?
Quickly! We are dedicated to making sure that we get help to you as quickly as possible. In most instances, Schendel will respond the same or very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
Yes, our treatment methods are safe for use around people, pets, and plants. We use the least amount of material possible to solve your pest problem whether that is using natural products, baits, mechanical means, or conventional produces. We follow very strict guidelines, and all of our conventional products are EPA registered. Our trained and experienced service technicians will also inform you of any specific safety measures that may need to be taken before treatment begins.
How much does it cost?
We have standard pricing for all of our pest services, based on average size homes under 3500 square feet and on the standard number of services. We will always make you aware of any price changes before we start your service. Sign up for your FREE quote today and see how much you can save with Schendel.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Preventing carpenter ants along with most other pest problems can be very difficult. The best way to stop pest infestations is to have a year-round home pest control plan in place. Along with professional pest control there are a few things that you can do around your home to stop carpenter ants, including:
- Sealing any cracks and crevices found in your home’s foundations and exterior walls
- Caulking gaps found around exterior windows and doors
- Keep trees and other landscaping trimmed back away from your homes
- Reduce areas of moisture in and around your property with properly working gutters and landscaping draining systems
- Fix leaks in pipes or fixtures
- Replace any moisture damaged woods
