The basics of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter Ants in Langley are one of the largest ants in your home or garden. They are known for their ability to cause significant damage to wooden structures. Still, they also play a vital role in nature. In this article, we will discuss the basics of controlling ants.
Characteristics
Carpenter ants are usually black, but they can also be red or brown in colour. They are larger than most other ants, measuring up to 1 inch in length. These pests have a distinct waist, which separates their thorax from their abdomen. They also have large mandibles or jaws, which they use to excavate wood and defend their colonies.
Behaviour
Carpenter ants are social insects living in large colonies, which can contain thousands of individuals. The colony comprises a queen, male ants, and female workers. The queen is responsible for laying eggs, while male ants are responsible for mating with the queen. The female workers are responsible for foraging, caring for the young, and maintaining the colony.
Carpenter ants are nocturnal and prefer to forage at night. They are attracted to sweets and proteins like honey, sugar, meat, and pet food. Carpenter ants do not eat wood but excavate it to build their nests. They prefer to nest in damp or decaying wood, which makes it easier for them to burrow. However, they can also nest in dry wood.
Signs of an Ant Invasion
One of the most common signs of a carpenter ant problem is the presence of wood shavings or sawdust around the nest. They push wood debris out of the nest through small holes they create in the wood. You may also notice the presence of winged ants or swarmers, reproductive ants that emerge from the nest to mate and start new colonies.
Another sign of them is rustling or tapping sounds from within the walls or ceiling, which is the sound of excavating wood.
Management of Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants can cause significant damage to wooden structures, and it is crucial to manage them as soon as possible. Here are some management tips:
- Locate the nest: Try to locate the nest by following the trails of ants. Once you locate the nest, you can treat it directly with insecticide.
- Remove food sources: Carpenter ants are attracted to sweets and proteins, so we recommend removing these food sources from your home.
- Seal entry points: Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation or walls to prevent ants from entering.
- Reduce moisture: Carpenter ants prefer to nest in damp or decaying wood, so it is important to reduce moisture in your home by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers.
- Hire a professional: If you cannot manage the carpenter ant situation on your own, it is best to hire a professional pest control company.
Why Carpenter Ants Prefer Rotten Wood
Prime carpenter ant habitat
Carpenter ants like to nest in rotten wood because it is easier for them to excavate. Rotten wood is softer and easier to chew through, making it easier for carpenter ants to create their nest galleries. In addition, rotten wood often has a higher moisture content, which provides a suitable environment for ants to establish their colony. The moisture content of the wood is important for the ants because it helps to regulate the temperature and humidity levels inside the nest, which is necessary for the survival and growth of the colony. Carpenter ants can also nest in sound wood, but they must excavate it first, which takes more time and effort than nesting in rotten wood. It is important to note that while they typically prefer to nest in rotten wood, they can also cause damage to sound wood if the conditions suit their colony.
Carpenter Ants in Langley, British Columbia
Carpenter ants are a common pest problem in Langley, British Columbia, as they are found throughout the Pacific Northwest region of North America. In Langley, they are especially common due to the city’s abundant forests, which provide abundant sources of damp and decaying wood for many pests to nest in.
Suppose you live in Langley and are dealing with a carpenter ant infestation. In that case, it is essential to take action to manage the problem before it becomes more severe. Here are some tips for ant control in Langley:
Identify the source: Try to locate the nest or nests by following the trails of ants. They will often nest in damp or decaying wood, such as in stumps, logs, or dead trees.
Carpenter Ant Damage
Remove food sources: Carpenter ants are attracted to sweets and proteins, such as honey, sugar, meat, and pet food. Remove these food sources or place them in sealed containers.
Seal entry points: Seal any cracks or gaps in your home’s foundation or walls to prevent ants from entering.
Reduce moisture: This pest prefers to nest in damp or decaying wood, so it is important to reduce moisture in your home by fixing leaks and using dehumidifiers.
Use bait stations: Bait stations can be an effective way to manage carpenter and pavement ants. The bait contains a slow-acting insecticide that the ants will bring back to the nest, which can help to eliminate the colony.
Hire a professional: If you cannot manage the pest on your own, it is best to hire a professional pest control company. They can identify the source of the situation and apply the appropriate treatment to eliminate the ants.
Carpenter Ant Treatment
Professional options
To effectively resolve an infestation, a nest needs to be found. As part of our professional pest control services, our technicians will treat the entire house, interior and exterior, while using a trained eye to search for the colony.
Treatment will typically consist of an exterior perimeter spray plus a localized treatment with a specialized tool known as an Actisol machine. Our Actisol device allows us to treat deep and directly into a colony, quickly solving the situation.
Our preferred products are permethrin-based insecticides and sugar-based gels. Boric acid is another great product for effective ant control.
DIY options for Carpenter Ants in Langley
While we recommend you seek professional help for carpenter ant control, there are some DIY treatment options that you can try if the infestation is small or if you want to take preventive measures to keep the ants away. Here are a few options to consider:
Bait stations: You can use commercial bait stations designed for carpenter ants to attract and eliminate the ants. Place the bait stations near the areas where you have seen the ants or near their suspected entry points. The ants will take the bait back to their nest, which can help to eliminate the colony.
Boric acid: Boric acid is a natural insecticide that can kill carpenter ants. Mix boric acid, sugar, and water to create a paste. Place the paste in small containers near the areas where you have seen the ants or near their suspected entry points.
Natural Options to Control Carpenter Ants
Diatomaceous earth: Diatomaceous earth is a non-toxic powder made from the fossilized remains of marine organisms. It can be sprinkled in areas where they are active or in their suspected entry points. The powder will stick to the ants’ bodies, causing them to dehydrate and die.
Vinegar: Some pests can be repelled by the scent of vinegar. You can mix equal parts vinegar and water in a spray bottle and spray it around the areas where you have seen the ants or their suspected entry points.
Essential oils: Certain essential oils, such as peppermint, tea tree, and lemon, can help to repel ants. You can mix a few drops of the oil with water in a spray bottle and spray it around the areas where you have seen the ants or their suspected entry points. While this will not effectively kill the ants, the scent may keep them away from the area temporarily.
It is important to note that while these DIY treatments can be adequate for small infestations, they may not be sufficient for larger or more severe colonies. In these cases, we recommend you seek professional help to identify and treat appropriately.