There are so many things we love about spring–new growth of plants, flowers, and trees, warmer weather, daylight savings time–but of course, there are a few springtime rituals we could do without. One of those is dealing with ants. As soon as spring arrives, ants come from nowhere and annoy us everywhere. In the Capital region, we find several species of ants. Most of these are inconvenient but not truly harmful, but that’s not true with all ant types. The carpenter ant is the most destructive of our area's six prevalent ant varieties. 

It’s important to know which kind of ants are invading.

Ants typically invade your home in search of food and water. They are always easy to spot since they usually arrive in a seemingly endless convoy. Most of our local ants are considered nuisance pests, meaning we prefer not to have them around, but they aren’t really dangerous. This distinction applies to acrobat, citronella, pavement, pharaoh, and odorous house ants. If you aren’t sure what variety of ant is visiting you, check our pest identification tool. 

Carpenter ants are not just a nuisance.

Unlike the others, carpenter ants can create significant damage in your home. These ants are large (ranging from ¼ to ½ inch long) and are black or dark brown. They chew through damp and rotting wood, although they don’t eat it. The function these ants perform of breaking down dead trees is beneficial in nature but not helpful in your home or business. Carpenter ants cause millions of dollars in damage in the US annually. The cost of carpenter ant control may save you from spending even more to remediate damage. 

Typically, carpenter ants will locate your home if you have rotting, damp wood in the house or on the property. Since they don’t eat the wood they chew, they still need to find food inside your home, where they may also build nests. 

You may see the ants and notice a fine sawdust outside their tunnels, both inside and outside the house. The parent colony is always outside, with satellite outposts inside. The eradication process must eliminate both, or reinfestation is inevitable. 

How can I avoid attracting carpenter ants?

The leading attraction for carpenter ants is damp wood. Ensure the wood is dry to discourage them from building colonies in your home. These preventive measures will help:

• Fix leaks 
• Make sure that rainwater doesn't collect near the foundation
• Inspect the roof for leaks, especially around the chimney and any skylights.
• Check attic venting to ensure airflow.
• Don’t allow rotten wood, trees, shrubbery, and leaves to remain on the property.
• Ensure that rain gutters are not clogged
• Check the security of garbage cans and move them away from the house

Call Thomas Pest Services

If you suspect that the ants on your property may be carpenter ants, it’s best to get professional help from a local carpenter ant exterminator. A timely eradication is the best way to avoid costly structural damage. Thomas Pest Services is a local exterminator for carpenter ants. Submit a simple form for a free inspection and assessment, or call us today. Our industry-leading Complete Care Plan will ensure that you eliminate carpenter ants and other annoying household pests.