Carpenter Ants

 

Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants can be very destructive if they start to live in your house.  Carpenter ants are about ¼ – ½ inch long.  They are usually black but can have reddish legs or midsections.  Usually carpenter ants nest in dying limbs of trees, stacked timber or in buildings.  They excavate tunnels in the wood.  That is why they are so devastating if they should nest in your house. 

Here are some signs to look for to detect an infestation.

• Are there large winged ants around?

• Look for sawdust around any woodwork in your house.

• Are there clicking noises coming from your walls?  If the ants are in the walls it can sound like a rustling noise.

Here are some steps that you can take to avoid an infestation of carpenter ants.

• Keep the wood in your house dry.  Check that all the areas in your house that could get damp, like the bathroom, kitchen, and laundry are well ventilated.  Make sure there are no leaking taps or drainage.

• Make sure there are no tree branches touching the house.

• Keep your gutters clear of debris.

It is always better to be vigilant so that the carpenter ants do not enter your house in the first place.  However if they do the sooner you find out and get rid of them the better as they can cause a lot of damage quite quickly.