Now that the spring weather is heating up and summer is just around the corner, you might start to see more life in and around your home. As the weather gets hotter and the ground thaws completely animals and insects start to move around and begin looking for food and water. During the cold winter weather nature becomes dormant and lives off of the supplies they have stored away. However, once the winter weather subsides, it is time to go out again and begin foraging.
Most of us have seen tiny black ants around our homes. In areas like the kitchen and bathroom, these little pests are a total nuisance but, completely harmless and fairly easy to eradicate. However, there are other types of ants that are not so benign and should be taken very seriously. Namely, the large carpenter ants.
These ants burrow their homes and tunnel systems into untreated wood, including the wood that makes up your home. The best way to avoid these small destructors is to take measures that will prevent them from finding your home habitable. But, first you will have to be able to recognize the signs of these ants being in your home.
Here are some telltale signs of carpenter ant activity:
When you look at the exterior surface of the wood, there are tiny little holes all over it. These holes usually have small piles of sawdust nearby where the ants of dug the wood out and discarded it outside of their entry holes. Unlike termites – carpenter ants do not eat the wood they burrow through.
When you look at the wood from the side, you can make out small tunnels that look clean and smooth. It is also very possible that you will see flying carpenter ants inside of these tunnels.
Noticing large black ants crawling around and out of the wood inside of your home. You may even see ants with wings flying around your home. These are the reproductive ants that fly around looking for a place to lay eggs.
If you see any of these signs around your home, it is highly possible that you have a carpenter ant infestation. The best way to address this situation is to contact a professional exterminator for help.
