By Carpenter ants can cause significant structural damage inside homes, as they excavate wood for nests and tunnels. These pests prefer moist, soft wood, which is why they are often found in basements, attics and behind walls. If not addressed quickly, this can lead to mold, rotting and moisture infiltration. The good news is that there are a number of steps homeowners can take to prevent or treat a carpenter ant infestation, without resorting to chemical pesticides.
First, recognizing that you have a carpenter ant problem is critical. Unlike termites, these ants do not eat wood; they prefer sugary foods, greasy leftovers and honeydew — the droppings of sap-sucking insects like aphids and the spotted lanternfly. The ants also create pheromone trails that lead them to food sources and other colony members, as well as to water in the form of plumbing leaks and condensed moisture.
The most important step in treating a carpenter ant infestation is finding the nest itself, and this can be difficult. Inspect the outside of your home for a trail leading to the ant’s tunnel entrance, then look for piles of sawdust and debris, called frass, near that opening. You can also hear rustling noises from the ants in wall voids during night hours, when they are most active.
If you suspect a carpenter ant problem, consider hiring a professional pest control expert who can locate crevices and other hiding spots in the home and treat them with specialized tools such as dusters, drills and moisture meters. These professionals can also identify if you are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation or another type of insect, such as a termite infestation.
One of the most effective ways to treat a Carpenter Ants Removal ant infestation is to kill the ants with boric acid. Mixing equal parts of the powdery substance with water and then spraying it into a tunnel or nest will penetrate an ant’s exoskeleton, killing the ants. Boric acid is a non-toxic, organic product that is safe to use around the home and environment.
Other natural methods of preventing or treating a carpenter ant infestation include regularly inspecting wood framing and exterior wood siding and sealing any cracks that appear. It’s also a good idea to regularly remove any rotting or decaying debris from the yard, especially in close proximity to your house. This will also help to reduce moisture buildup in those areas.
In addition, homeowners should periodically check plumbing penetrations in the wall and sill plates where pipes enter the home. Also, make sure to regularly clean out gutters and downspouts and to keep them free of debris that could allow moisture to seep into the house. Finally, pruning trees, removing overhanging branches and reducing shade in the yard will reduce the likelihood of a carpenter ant infestation. Lastly, pesticides that contain the botanical extract pyrethrin can be an effective treatment option for carpenter ants, but they must be carefully sprayed in the correct areas of the home and applied in accordance with the label instructions.
