Noticing an ant indoors is not usually a reason for serious concern. These pests regularly invade homes with the sole intention of stealing food. As annoying as this is, it doesn’t typically pose a threat to property or health. There is, however, one species in our area that seriously damages structural wood when it invades. We are talking about the carpenter ant. Here is what you should know about this destructive insect and some methods to address an infestation on your Granbury property.
How To Identify A Carpenter Ant
There are many different types of carpenter ants. The two most common species in our area include Camponotus rasilis Wheeler and C. sayi Emery. Both of these species are fairly large, have red, black, or red and black bodies, and invade homes by tunneling into structural wood. These tunnels act as a nest for growing colonies. Within each colony are workers, soldiers, and a single queen. This queen dictates the roles of new members and is in charge of egg-laying. One way to identify a carpenter ant infestation inside your home is to look for frass at the base of walls or around pin-sized holes that run out of structural wood. Frass is the sawdust-like wood particles carpenter ants discard out of the holes of their nest. As carpenter ant infestations become more severe, other more serious signs of structural damage will become apparent. If you don’t know how to identify signs of carpenter ants, let the experts at Wise/Chem Safe Pest Control do it for you. We offer comprehensive inspections to help homeowners around Granbury identify pest pressures in and around their homes.
The Multiple Problems A Carpenter Ant Infestation Can Create
Having carpenter ants crawling around inside looking for food is annoying but not the only problem these pests cause. As you most likely know, carpenter ants are destructive because they build their homes in structural wood. Depending on the size and placement of the infestation, serious structural damage can occur within just a few months. If left untreated, carpenter ants will rack up repair costs, a big problem considering the price of building materials right now.
Factors That Attract Carpenter Ants To Your Property
Carpenter ants are drawn to properties by three different things; food, moisture, and shelter opportunities. In most cases, moisture and shelter opportunities go hand in hand because carpenter ants prefer to invade water-damaged wood. As for food, carpenter ants like to eat things that are sweet or high in protein. During cold, hot, or otherwise inclement weather, carpenter ants will come inside more often to search for scraps to feed their colony. If you notice large red, black, or red and black ants crawling around your living areas, get a professional involved immediately.
Call The Pros At The First Sign Of Carpenter Ants On Your Property
If you are worried about carpenter ants in Granbury invading your home or are trying to deal with a current infestation, we would like to offer our assistance. At Wise/Chem Safe Pest Control, we work hard, serving members of our community with dedication and integrity. We don’t just know how to get rid of carpenter ants but also how to address other common and unique pest problems. If you have noticed signs of carpenter ants in your house, let us come out for an inspection.
Call us today to learn more about professional Granbury pest control and discover some options to eliminate and prevent invasive pests like carpenter ants.
Chris the technician did his usual thorough job while addressing a few minor issues we presented. In addition to outdoor maintenance we had him in this time for a bit of extra work. All tasks accomplished in a quick and orderly manner, very knowledgeable and competent. We are very happy with the services of WISE / Chem Safe Pest Control.