How to Deal with Carpenter Ants in Your House

Ants are a widespread problem throughout Canada, Carpenter ants are small, black, and prefer to make their nests in wood. They will hollow out sections of wood to create galleries they use to move through. Carpenter ants don’t cause nearly as much damage as you would get from termites. Knowing how to remove carpenter ants is very important for every homeowner. 

According to Mike Potter, an Entomologist at the University of Kentucky, “Carpenter ants certainly are a nuisance, they damage the wood in your house by hollowing it for nesting.” The most common type of invasive carpenter ant is the Northeast-Camponotus pennsylvanicus, it’s blackish and one-quarter to one-half inch long.

Carpenter ants get their name from their nest building capabilities. They excavate wood and form smooth tunnels within. A typical ant colony consists of about 20,000 workers when mature. Large colonies will have a maximum of 50,000 individuals in total. In the colony, there is usually one functional wingless queen. Swarmers won’t be available until the colony is at least two years old. Read this article to learn how to deal with them, if you need help just call our carpenter ant control Toronto services: 647-496-2211. Their distant relatives pharaoh ants might have been pestering ancient pharaohs themselves, and their descendants are now known 

Signs you have a carpenter ant infestation

It’s important that you deal as quickly as possible with pests the minute you discover them in your household. Carpenter ants will invade your kitchen looking for food; they will also cause significant damage to wood making their nest.

The first step involved in dealing with carpenter nests is to determine if indeed you have a carpenter ant infestation. Make sure you correctly identify the pests you are dealing with. If you are unsure if the ants are indeed carpenter ants, you could consult your local pest control service. The last thing you want to do is invest in pesticides that will fail.

Unlike termites, carpenter ants will not feast on wood; they will simply hollow it into galleries used for nesting. If ignored, this infestation can become severe once they begin to expand their nest. Carpenter ants don’t build nests in dry wood. If the ants in your kitchen nest in damp, decaying old wood of your inner walls, you certainly have a carpenter ant infestation.

You will also discover small piles of wood shavings in locations they infest. These shavings will look like sawdust and are known as frass. You could also check for an infestation by listening through your walls; if you can hear a faint rustling noise, you have an infestation.

How to deal with carpenter ants in the house

If you have made the necessary checks and you are certain you have a carpenter ant infestation, you can use the following methods to get rid of them. However, if you are unsure of yourself, you can always call in the experts.

Carpenter ant baiting

The best carpenter ant baits in the market are designed to target ants as they move along their trails. This method is the most effective when dealing with outdoor carpenter ants and preventing an indoor infestation. Baiting works perfectly since the Carpenter ants will carry poisoned food back to the nest infecting the rest of the colony. The best ant baits are those designed to lure ants.

Using insecticides

If you have tried using baits with no luck, you could consider using insecticides and pesticides to aid their removal. There are several brands in the market to choose from. Just make sure you do your research well and purchase the right treatment. Properly using this method will deter any outdoor ants from getting into your home and causing damage. This method is the best for preventing a carpenter ant infestation from spreading to your home.

Natural Carpenter ant treatment

All the above methods have a high success rate and are proven remedies to getting rid of carpenter ant infestation. You might be wondering if there are any natural remedies available? Well, yes! Boric acid works perfectly, and can simply be sprayed onto any ant nests, or anywhere they frequent. Just make sure you don’t spray it near any electrical wires.

You could also use Diatomite earth or DE. This is a soft sedimentary rock that is derived from fossilized algae like plants. You need to get Food-grade DE that is completely safe for pets and children. Insects have a hard time digesting this dust. It dries them out and eventually shreds their bodies.

Professional pest removal service

Consulting a professional pest removal service is the most convenient way to deal with carpenter ants once and for all. Especially if you are unsure of the location of the nest. Chances are you have multiple nests in your property, and you might be dealing with a recurring problem. Professional pest removal experts will inspect your home and find the location of the nests. They will professionally get rid of the ants and ensure they don’t return.

Carpenter ants can cause a lot of damage and frustration if ignored. However, you can prevent and control their infestation with the right tools. In case you suspect you have a carpenter ant infestation in your home, contact our local pest control service immediately: 647-496-2211.