Mention the name, Ants, and you remember about hard work. And team-work. The list is endless. They are intelligent creatures. But can create nuisance if present in large numbers in house. In a traditional country such as India, cleanliness holds the key. It is the womenfolk who get blamed when visitors see a large population of ants in the house. In this article we are going to focus on one common ant species – carpenter ants.
Carpenter ant (Camponotus pennsylvanicus)
Well, you have seen the ants in your home. Normally the workers come to around quarter of an inch and the queen to half inch. They are mostly black in color (the name – black carpenter ant), but some species also have black and red color. Similar to other species of the same genre, they contain six legs. To establish a colony, the ants will take three to six years. To grow from a egg to an adult, the duration taken is six to twelve weeks.
1. Carpenter Ant Nest
They are mostly found in dry and moist wood. Usually, the wood gets damped if in water. Other insects damage the moist wood. So you can see them in windows, sinks and door frames. They burrow wood for nests. The damage of carpenter ants to a home depends on the size of nests and number. So, it is vital to locate the nests as early as possible. Now you know the reason for the popular question – Do carpenter ants eat trees?
2. What Do Carpenter Ants Eat?
Their main sources of food are sugar and protein derived from other food sources. Usually it is fruit juice, secretions of plant and dead bodies (insects). They are also attracted to fats, grease, sweets and meats. Carpenter ants do not like interactions with humans and do not have a sting. They can move further than 100 yards for food. Active at night, they emit pheromone trails, easier for their other inmates to follow. When in danger, the larger ants can administer a sharp bite.
3. Signs Of Carpenter Ants In House
Usually, the damage go unnoticed. When you identify, the damage may be irreparable. These ants make the wood hollow for nests.
You can find the wood dust in window sills, baseboards and door jams. Frass is the name given to this wood dust. Sometimes you see the carpenter ant queen in the form of winged ants. They come from walls, ceiling, insulation plastics and other hidden crevices.
4. Carpenter Ant Treatment
- You can store firewood or other unwanted food material away from home. Trim the bushes and trees in front of the air conditioner.
- Ensure that there is no standing water beneath the trees in the garden.
- Keep the kitchen clean. No crumbs, no left overs. And not leave sweets in the dining table.
- Ensure you do not keep dirty dishes in the kitchen sink.
- Cedarwood can keep certain insects at bay. But carpenter ants can use them for nest if conditions are favorable.
- There are many methods to eliminate these pests. Example, insecticides or ant baits. But in this article we have given the most natural treatment.
- You can mix one tablespoon of boric acid with ten tablespoons of sugar water. Now place the mixture in a plastic paper near the places where you fear infestation of carpenter ants. The sugar attracts them and when ingested, the acid will kill them. But the problem does not vanish all of a sudden. It may require time. You may have to use the procedure again and again.
- You can sprinkle diatomite or DE to the nest of carpenter ants. The method can destroy a entire nest of these ants. But yes, it will take time.
5. Carpenter Ant Damage
Take precaution in dry periods. Water search becomes inevitable for these ants. Once a carpenter ant has located the food or item of interest, it sets of the pheromone, which will attract other ants. So a large number of ants appear at the same site. If you have a garden, ensure you check indoor potted plants, fittings, walls and foundations. There are situations, these ants have attacked electrical wiring for unknown purposes. And it can result in extensive damage.
How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants
Yes, there are lots of DIY options in the internet. But the fact is the damage done to the home. It is not the result that is important in case of pests, but it is preventing the recurrence problem. So you need a effective pest control service to do the relevant tasks. Bro4u’s service technicians, being qualified and experienced can give the perfect solution for the ants. They specialize in giving solutions for domestic purposes and commercial ventures. If you are staying in a urban city such as Hyderabad, it is easy to opt for the best carpenter ant control service. A new of companies have emerged, called as home maintenance companies, which provides even the best herbal pest control services in Hyderabad. To book a service, all you have to do is to download the Bro4u app and place a request. The entire task can be completed in four minutes. Get the right solution for the carpenter ant problem with the best guidance from Bro4u experts.
