Carpenter ants are one of the most common ants in our area. They are recognized by their large size (1/4 to 1 inch in length) and are commonly black in color. Carpenter ants usually nest outdoors in logs, wood piles or damaged trees, but will often move indoors to establish a nest in high moisture areas such as wall cavities, porch pillars, roofs, window sills and under sinks and bathtubs. Carpenter ants require a constant water source for their survival so they will typically seek out wet or water damaged, decaying wood and then move into more sound wood to expand their tunnels and galleries. Carpenter ants can gain entry to your home through eaves, window frames, door frames, utility lines, overhanging trees and plumbing. Carpenter ants can cause lots of damage to your home, but they do not consume wood like termites, they simply excavate it to use as a nest.

You can prevent carpenter ants from nesting in your home or business by keeping tree limbs and shrubs trimmed away from buildings, by repairing cracks in your foundation that provide easy access for ants, by keeping crawlspaces dry and well ventilated and keeping firewood stacked off the ground away from buildings.

If you have an infestation of carpenter ants, Buggin’ Us Pest Control can help. We will locate the nests, galleries and voids where the carpenter ants are living. The treatment will target these areas to be as effective and safe as possible.