Your home is meant to be a place that offers you peace and relaxation. It’s a place to unwind and spend time surrounded by your family. The last thing you would want is to be confronted by an infestation of carpenter ants. If this situation arises, it may be time for a professional carpenter ant extermination.

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are a species that are bigger than the average ant and range in color from black, to red, to brown. They differentiate from other ants in shape by having only one node at their waist with rounded thoraxes. The majority of carpenter ants do not fly, but as colonies mature some ants develop wings and flying capabilities.

Carpenter ants are often confused with termites. The major physical differences between the two insects is the appearance of their antennas and wings. Carpenter ants have elbowed, or bent, antennas, whereas termites have straight-shaped antennas. Carpenter ants have yellow-tinted wings, while termites have white wings.

Carpenter Ant Identification

As previously mentioned, people often confuse carpenter ants with termites. Both insects burrow in wood, but carpenter ants simply chew on wood rather than eat it. Carpenter ants are usually found nested in damp or decaying wood. They typically seek entry into homes by way of tree branches overhanging your home or open passages such as utility pipes.

Signs of an Infestation

Noticing a trail of worker ants or swarmers, discovering damaged wood, hearing an unusual sound, or finding debris, are all signs of a carpenter ant infestation. If you are concerned about a potential pest infestation, it may be time to schedule a carpenter ant extermination.

Trail of AntsWinged carpenter ant closeup

An obvious sign of a pest infestation is spotting a colony of ants moving through your house. By following the trail, you will be able to locate their nesting area. Depending on the length of time a colony has been living in your home, some of these ants can mature into swarmers, or flying ants. Aside from worker ants, be on the lookout for any swarmers.

Damaged Wood

If you start to notice damaged wood in your home, carpenter ants may be the cause of this. While they aren’t eating the wood for sustenance, they are chewing the wood to make room for nesting. You will commonly find colonies in walls or dampen wood areas, behind sinks, dishwashers, or tubs. Schedule a carpenter ant extermination if you notice these situations occurring.

Unusual Sound

As these ants move throughout your home, they create an unusual noise. Their burrowing activities create a rustling sound. You will most likely notice the sound at night coming from within your walls.

Carpenter ants on a stumpWood Debris

An additional sign of carpenter ant activity is debris they produce from running in wood. If you begin to see random piles of particles that appear like wood shavings, you may have an ant infestation. These small piles, or frass, may be a mixture of wood shavings and dead ants. If you come across frass, it’s advisable to call to schedule a professional carpenter ant extermination.

Carpenter Ant Extermination

While carpenter ants are generally harmless to humans, they can cause serious damage to your home’s structure. While you may be tempted to destroy any nests and colonies you find, it’s advised you call a professional to complete the job. A carpenter ant extermination typically includes a chemical treatment along with taking procedures to seal any cracks, crevices, or holes and remove any areas of unnecessary moisture.

Do You Need A Carpenter Ant Extermination?

Prevent Pest Control is a top pest control company in Ohio. We specialize in carpenter ant extermination. No matter the season, our team will prevent pests from infesting and damaging your home. Visit our website or call us at (440) 517-5581 for a quote today!

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