Carpenter ants are common in Oakland, Florida. You might see them crawling around your windowsills, baseboards, or kitchen. These species might seem harmless, but they can cause serious damage to your home when left unchecked. That is why you probably want to know if you can rely on pest control services to eliminate the infestation for you. This page will give you the answer you need.
Carpenter ants are larger than most ants. They do not eat wood like termites do, but they chew through it to make their nests. This means they could be hollowing out parts of your walls, doors, or roof supports to create tunnels and nesting areas if they are living in your home.
These ants are usually active at night. They prefer moist areas, so leaky pipes or damp wood are an open invitation for them to settle in.
Signs of a Carpenter Ant Problem
Spotting a few ants doesn’t always mean there is a big issue. However, you must act fast when you are dealing with carpenter ants. Here are some warning signs that you have a colony nearby:
- Sawdust piles (frass). Carpenter ants push out wood shavings as they dig. Thus, you might find little piles near walls or baseboards.
- Faint rustling sounds in the walls. You may hear the ants moving inside the wood at night.
- Winged ants indoors: carpenter ants have swarmers. Seeing these winged ants means the colony is mature and trying to grow.
- Damaged wood. Carpenter ants might be inside the wood if it sounds hollow or breaks.
Why DIY Methods Might Not Work
You might be tempted to try store-bought sprays, traps, or bait, but carpenter ants are hard to eliminate. They build their nests deep inside wood, often in areas that are hard to reach. These could be inside walls, under floors, or in the attic.
Killing the ants you see walking around won’t solve the problem. It is just a small part of the colony. You need to focus on the nest, which might be hidden in a different part of the house. The ants will just keep coming back if you do not get to the main colony.
Also, carpenter ants are smart. They might split up and form satellite colonies in new areas of your home if they sense danger, making the problem even harder to fix.
How Pest Control Services Handle Carpenter Ants
The warm and humid weather in Oakland makes it easy for pests to thrive. Thus, especially important to deal with the ant problem early. Carpenter ants can live for years and build huge colonies when not stopped. Pest control services go after the root of the problem. They include the following:
- Inspection. Professionals know how to look for signs that most people miss. They will check your attic, crawl space, walls, and yard to figure out where the ants are nesting.
- Identification. It is important to confirm that the ants are carpenter ants. Different ant species behave in different ways, and treatments vary depending on the type.
- Targeted treatment. The pest control expert will use special products to eliminate the nest once located. This may include bait that the ants carry back to the colony or direct application into the nest itself. This product is stronger and more effective than anything you can buy at a hardware store.
- Prevention. A good pest control company will help you figure out how to keep carpenter ants from coming back. This might mean sealing up cracks, fixing water leaks, or trimming trees away from your house. Also, experts may recommend improving ventilation to reduce moisture.
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