There are a lot of little things in this world and we would probably not consider most of them to be anything we would worry about. In fact, most things are less intimidating when they are little. Even the scariest pro wrestler was once an itty bitty baby. No one is scared of a baby, right? You probably wouldn't be scared of a puppy, either. It is when that puppy grows up to be something big, like a trained attack dog, that you would start to worry. But some things can be scary, even though they are little. Carpenter ants unfortunately are one of them.

Here are some facts you should probably know about these scary little ants.

• Carpenter ants, though small, are actually among the largest of pest ants in the United States. They can be up to 13 millimeters long.

• Most carpenter ants are black, but some species have a red or yellow tint to them.

• Carpenter ants have large mandibles, or jaw bones, that they use to chew into wood. However, they do not eat wood the way termites do. They merely chew on the wood to get it out of their way.

• These ants eat a variety of foods, many of which people also eat, such as sweets and meats.

• Carpenter ants will chew tunnels and nests inside wooden structures. They prefer damp wood and are often found outside. But they also get into manmade structures, such as homes.

• A reliable sign that you have carpenter ants in your home is finding swarmers. These are winged ants that are produced when a colony matures and is ready to spread out and establish new colonies.

• Though carpenter ants do not do as much damage as termites, their presence inside your walls and support beams can cause significant damage over a period of years if left untreated. In fact, as the colonies grow and spread out, the damage can become severe.

• Eliminate damp or wet areas around your home.

• Trim back vegetation from your foundation and walls.

• Keep all wood, such as wood piles and construction materials, well away from your home and up off the ground.

• Keep your house free of food particles and store all food in sealed containers or in the refrigerator.

• Keep your home well ventilated and dry. Use fans or dehumidifiers if needed.

Speaking of little things. Sometimes these steps are a little too little, and a little too late. If you already have carpenter ants infesting your New York home, it is time to contact a professional pest control company. Here at Thomas Pest Services, we have decades of experience protecting homes and businesses from carpenter ants, and a whole host of other damaging pests. We believe no pest infestation is too big--or too little--for Thomas to handle. Contact us for help with your little pest problems today before they become big problems!