Carpenter Ants

As one of the most notable picnic pests, the carpenter ant is a well-known species. The insect is easily identified, even by young children. Its six elbow-shaped legs, spindly antennas, tri-segmented body, and large head are difficult to forget. It is rare to find someone who fears the carpenter ant like the spider or snake. However, this does not necessarily mean anyone wants to share their lunch, with a colony of carpenter ants. Since the carpenter ant is a social insect species, it will rarely travel alone. Where there is one, there are dozens of them somewhere nearby.

The carpenter ant is one of the largest members of the Formicidae family and Hymenoptera order. Each member of the carpenter bee colony is a different size, with the queen being the largest at 5/8 of an inch.

How Do I Know If Carpenter Ants Are Infesting My Home?

While nearly everyone can identify the carpenter ant, most people do not know the signs of a carpenter ant infestation. It is important to note, that a sighting of a few carpenter ants does not necessarily mean you have an infestation in your home. With this said, it can be the start of an infestation if you do not take immediate action.

• Gnawing Noises – If your home is infested with carpenter ants, you will know it. One of the lesser common signs of an infestation of these pesty insects is a gnawing noise. You must have a keen sense of sound for your ears to detect the gnawing noises. What is the gnawing noise? It is a colony of worker carpenter ants munching away at some type of wooden structure. Carpenter ants are drawn to decaying wood in basements, underneath sinks, showers, and attics.
• Piles Or Trails Of Sawdust – If you hear gnawing noises, you can almost guarantee there is a pile and/or trail of sawdust nearby. Sawdust “frass” is the byproduct of carpenter ants gnawing on wooden structures. The quantity of sawdust will depend on how long the carpenter ant workers have been working, the number of carpenter ant workers involved, and the severity of the decay.
• Flying Drones – If you ask most people if carpenter ants fly, they will say no without giving the question a second thought. If your answer was no, you are wrong. The carpenter ant drone is the largest member of the colony, excluding the queen. The drone has flying capabilities and can be seen swarming over food. This is why the drone is oftentimes referred to as a “swarmer.” Unlike the other members of the carpenter ant colony, the drone will eventually leave to develop a new colony.

There are carpenter ant colonies, with 100,000 members. Statistics reveal that 24 carpenter ant species can be found throughout the United States.

Why Are Carpenter Ants In My Bathroom?

As mentioned previously, carpenter ants are drawn to food and water. If you detect a few carpenter ants in your bathroom, it is likely they are after a water source. The traditional bathroom utilizes water for various activities, including showering, bathing, and toileting. Carpenter ants are attracted to not only water but also hair follicles, dead skin, dandruff, and debris that contains human cells.

Another reason why carpenter ants are attracted to bathrooms is that they are generally easy to access. The insects utilize access points around plumbing pipes, leading to bathrooms. The only way to eliminate these entry points is to fill them in, which will be discussed more in-depth in the content below.

Is The Carpenter Ant Classified As A “Dangerous?”

No, carpenter ants do not have stingers, so they do not sting humans or animals. While their mandibles are powerfully strong, they are not strong enough to penetrate the skin. However, this does not necessarily mean the species is 100 percent harmless. When you consider the structural damage caused by carpenter ants, it is easy to see why they are not completely harmless.

Carpenter ants build tunnels through structures constructed from wood. The insects also construct underground tunnels, where they store their young and the queen. Contrary to belief, carpenter ants do not swallow wood. They gnaw to break down the wood for nests and tunnels.

Initially, you may be under the impression that the carpenter ant is harmless. Did you know that these insects carry diseases? The species have been linked to various foodborne illnesses, including E. coli, clostridium, salmonella, Shigella, strep, and staph.

How To Safely Eradicate A Colony Of Carpenter Ants?

Eradicating a colony of carpenter ants is not as easy as it sounds. Eradicating a small colony may not be so difficult but a medium- or large-sized colony will take a major pest control strategy.

The most effective method utilized to target carpenter ant infestations is a visual inspection. Our certified pest control experts have years of carpenter ant inspection experience. They will inspect every inch of your home until every nest is located and eradicated.

Is Do-It-Yourself Pest Control Effective For A Carpenter Ant Infestation?

Carpenter ants access homes in search of food, water, and shelter. When carpenter ants are detected indoors, there is guaranteed to be more around the exterior of the home. This basically means, your do-it-yourself pest management strategy must be effective enough to eradicate the carpenter ants inside and outside your home. This is why DIY pest management rarely works for carpenter ants. This is not to mention, that the queen is a prolific breeder. She is continuously procreating soldiers, drones, and workers.

Eradicating the queen is the only way to achieve full eradication of a carpenter ant colony.

How Long Does It Take To Process A Carpenter Ant Inspection Request?

Our qualified customer support team can process your home inspection request within 24 hours, no later than 72 hours. During the peak carpenter ant season, it will take longer to process your service request. Carpenter ants hibernate throughout the winter season. They become active as soon as the weather begins to warm up.

What Type Of Pest Control Treatment Is Effectively Safe For Carpenter Ants?

Organic and natural pesticides are an effective form of treatment for carpenter ant infestations. We follow EPA pesticide guidelines to protect the environment and our customers from exposure to dangerous chemicals found in traditional pesticides.

What Type Of Prevention Method Is Effective For Carpenter Ants?

There is no single prevention technique that will stop carpenter ants from infiltrating your home. We suggest a combination of prevention methods like sealing off all access points and routine visual inspections. We also encourage secure food storage and household waste disposal techniques.

To learn more about our carpenter ant pest management services, do not hesitate to reach out to our customer support.

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