Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants vary in size and color but are usually large (1/4-1/2 inches) and blackish. Occasionally, swarms of winged carpenter ant reproductives will emerge inside a home. Carpenter ant swarms usually occur in the spring and are a sure sign that a colony is nesting somewhat inside the structure.
Begin by noting the areas where you see the ants. Try to observe where
the ants are coming from. If you see an ant carrying food, watch to see
where they take it. Any clue where the nest may be is an essential part
of eliminating the colony. Your help along with our service will be the
key to ridding your home of carpenter ants.
Besides being objectionable by their presence, carpenter ants damage wood
by hollowing it out for nesting. But don't be overly concerned about your
house being eaten out from under you. Carpenter ants may do damage but
it takes a long time for them to cause serious problems. They excavate
galleries in wood which have a smooth, sandpapered appearance. Wood which
has been damaged by carpenter ants contains no mud-like material, as in
the case with termites. Shredded fragments of wood, similar in appearance
to course sawdust, are ejected from the galleries through pre-existing
cracks or slits made by the ants. When such accumulations are found (typically
containing dead ants and bits of insects which the carpenter ants have
eaten), it's a good indication that a carpenter ant nest is nearby. Often,
however, the excavated sawdust remains hidden behind a wall or in some
concealed area.
Carpenter ants may establish nests in a number of different locations. It is important to realize that these locations can be either inside or outside the structure. Carpenter ants actually construct two different kids of nests: Parent Colonies which, when mature, contain an egg-laying queen, brood and 2000 more worker ants, and Satellite colonies, which may have large numbers of worker ants but no queen, eggs, or young larva. The carpenter ants inside a home may have originated from the parent nest located outdoors in a tree stump, landscape timbers, woodpiles, or from one or more satellite nests hidden behind a wall.
What Can You Do to Help?
- Don't spray any chemicals or insecticides in the area. Nests are found by observing the ant’s habits and spraying will eliminate that important tool.
- Correct any leaking plumbing and moisture problems that may attract carpenter ants.
- Eliminate wood-to-ground contact such as where landscaping has moved soil or mulch up against the siding of your home.
- Seal cracks and openings in the foundation, especially where utility pipes and wires enter from the outside.
- Clip back tree limbs and vegetation touching the roof or siding of the house. Limbs and branches serve as "bridges" between carpenter ants nesting in a dead tree limb and the structure.
- Never store firewood next to the foundation of your home. Firewood is a prime nesting area for carpenter ants.
Will Carpenter Ants Damage My Home?
The extent and potential damage to a home depends on how many nests are actually present within the structure and how long the infestation has been active. Although large carpenter ant colonies are capable of causing structural damage, the damage is not normally as serious as that from termites. In some cases, the damage may be relatively insignificant, but this can only be determined by locating and exposing the nest area.
How Can You Control Carpenter Ants?
The best way to control carpenter ants is to find and destroy the nests. It takes experience, skill, and a little bit of luck to interpret where colonies of ants are living. Even then, we need your to help observe the ants to determine where the nests may be located. The job is as much detective work as exterminating and many times will require multiple visits to control an infestation. You will need to be a partner with your service technician in controlling the carpenter ant population in your home.
Your Home is Unique
You should know that each home presents a unique situation. There is no single treatment that will cure all problems for all ants. You need a service person that will be observant enough to recognize what your particular treatment needs are. When a Shoreline technician treats your home you will have an experienced (no less than 5 years) professional service person working for you. We pride ourselves on the knowledge and commitment we have in doing the best job possible along with being a local company you that you can count on when you need us.
Our Service
Because carpenter ants are often difficult to locate and destroy and
also because a home usually has more than one nest, our service is a year-long
program designed to eliminate all of the current infestations in your
home. There are no hidden or monthly costs. During our first visit to
your home we will assess the situation and begin treatments designed to
stop the ants from foraging inside. We will look for the causes of your
infestations and treat the areas that are accessible to us. There will
be two outside perimeter sprays around the foundation of your home which
are designed to prevent infestations and to eliminate nests that you may
not be aware of. And if you need additional service, we are only a phone
call away.
11330 Lakewood Blvd.
Holland, MI 49424
616 394-9100
Last updated 2/9/06