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Carpenter ants are a species named for how they build their nests. They are one of the most common types of ants in the United States, and you commonly encounter them in the North Barrington area. These pesky insects can cause a lot of trouble for homeowners who aren’t prepared to handle them, so it’s important to recognize the potential dangers they present and how to keep them from affecting your home.
In this article, we’ll talk about the basic principles of carpenter ant control in North Barrington. We’ll start by helping you understand and identify carpenter ants. We’ll also cover their general habits and behaviors. Then, we’ll move on to the issues carpenter ants can cause in your home when left unchecked. After that, we’ll discuss why do-it-yourself control methods often fail against carpenter ants and what you should do instead.
Finally, we’ll go over the best method of carpenter ant control – working with a professional pest control company. Our team at Pest Control Consultants is here to help you conquer any pest problem you might be facing.
Characteristics Of Carpenter Ants
First, let’s make sure you understand what carpenter ants are and how to identify them. Carpenter ants are a species of ant found throughout the United States, most commonly in the northern regions of the country. Carpenter ants got their name because of their habit of tunneling into wooden structures to build their nests. Unlike other wood-destroying insects, such as termites, carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood they infest. They simply chew through it and live inside of it.
Carpenter ants in North Barrington can be black, red, brown, or black and red. They are typically between 1/2 to 5/8 inch long. Carpenter ant colonies can become quite large, reaching numbers of more than 50,000, though colonies of such size are uncommon. Places like tree stumps, wood piles, and fence posts are common areas for carpenter ant colonies to flourish.
Carpenter ants often leave signs of their presence in areas they’ve infested. Some of the more common signs of carpenter ants include finding small openings in wooden surfaces that are typically circular. You may also discover small piles of sawdust near these holes. You will often find carpenter ants in soft, wet wood already damaged by moisture or fungus. Hearing sounds of rustling in wood or wall voids is another sign of possible carpenter ant activity.
In the next section, we’ll discuss the issues these pests can cause once they’re inside your home.
The Problems Carpenter Ants Can Cause In Your Home
The main problem associated with carpenter ants is that of property damage. Carpenter ants can cause structural and aesthetic issues by tunneling into wood, and their presence can exacerbate and worsen problems that might have already existed. Carpenter ants are also known to bite. They have powerful jaws that can make these bites painful, and they can inject formic acid into the bite, causing a burning sensation. Fortunately, these bites aren’t harmful beyond the temporary pain they cause.
Many people try to get rid of carpenter ant infestations on their own, but this isn’t always a great idea.
Why DIY Methods Are Often Ineffective
Many people think of ants as easy pests to get rid of. The truth, however, is most ants are quite resourceful, and carpenter ants are no exception. Carpenter ants can quickly adapt to changes in their environment, either moving away from the source of the danger or hiding from it. Rather than trying to take out a whole colony of carpenter ants by yourself, it’s better to put preventative measures in place to keep them away from your home. Here are a few suggestions:
- Get rid of any source of standing water near your home.
- Store firewood, lumber, and building materials away from your home.
- Trim tree branches and shrubs that grow too close to the house.
- Seal any cracks or gaps in the exterior of your house.
Following these suggestions will help you reduce the chances of a carpenter ant problem. If you need help removing carpenter ants in your house, you can always call PCC.
Choose Professional Pest Control To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants
Here at PCC, we’re committed to helping our customers live happy, healthy lives free of pests and the worries they can cause. For three generations, we’ve provided top-notch pest control services to the North Barrington area. Call us for same-day services tailored to your needs. We even offer free inspections for most pests.
Contact Pest Control Consultants today for more information about our ant extermination services.
