Ask the Exterminator

Got Pests?

Ask The Exterminator provides expert advice for your pest control problems. Browse our categories of exterminator expertise and contact us with questions.

Home About Ask the Exterminator a Question Carpenter Ants Category

RSS Feed
Email this article
Printer friendly page


Rid Of Carpenter Ants


Homeowners often get sidetracked when it comes to worrying about damages caused by termites. We get bombarded with spring-time advertisements that talk about termites, termites and more termites. But, spring weather brings out lots of wood destroying insects and carpenter ants are often the culprit. A little knowledge about how to get rid of carpenter ants will provide some comfort.

It’s my guess that most homes are more susceptible to carpenter ant damage than termite damage. Termites need ongoing contact with the soil in order to survive.  They also need to locate settling cracks somewhere in the

Carpenter_ant_dam.jpg
Carpenter ant damage
foundation where they can squeak through and begin their search for soft wood. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, can walk up the side of your house and poke around until they find a split window frame or a lose brick. a carpenter ant can drop down from overhanging branches and search around your roof looking for a broken shingle. Carpenter ants are in no hurry to get back into the soil so they have ample time to canvas your house looking for entry opportunities.

The damage caused by carpenter ants is usually far less in comparison to that of subterranean termites. However, if carpenter ant nests are left untreated the resulting damage caused can be substantial.

Carpenter ant damage is easy to spot from other pests. The damaged wood will have neatly layered channels that are smooth to the touch. The ants make small

Carpenter_ant_frass.jpg
Carpenter ant frass
holes they use to toss out all the trash and debris accumulated within the nest. This “garbage”, which consists primarily of wood chips, insect particles, dead ants and the like, is referred to by professionals as "frass". Subterranean termite damaged wood is packed with mud while Carpenter ant damaged wood usually is free of frass or sawdust.

Ultimately, we suggest you call an expert to examine the wood damage. Question the inspector using the information you have gained from this short carpenter ant control explanation.

Comments

No comments yet
*Name:
Email:
Notify me about new comments on this page
Hide my email
*Text:
Security Image:

Visual CAPTCHA
 

Search:



Advanced Search

Categories:

© 2007 AskTheExterminator.com.
Disclaimer