Getting The Low Down On Carpenter Ant ControlCarpenter ants are a royal pain to get rid of but if they’ve infested the home, it’s a wise idea to get rid of them, but doing so the smart and efficient way.

Carpenter ants are big and black in color. They can grow to a length of about ½ inch if not a bit bigger. They’re not poisonous nor can harm humans, but it’s the damage to the home or office building’s structure that poses the biggest threat. Yes they’re capable of causing damage to the wood primarily but not like termites that can destroy a structure. Carpenter ants aren’t as invasive nor destructive, but they can do quite a job on a building if left unchecked which is why you’ll then need carpenter ant control.

These ants gain access to your home in several ways. Once they get a foothold inside they’ll bore into the wood, usually moist wood and build a colony. It’ll take some time and which is why they’re so hard to detect. You might only see a few ants foraging around in the open but if you see a few, that means there’s far more hidden behind the walls, inside the floors, roofing and wherever the little buggers can carve out a niche.

With carpenter ant control, prevention is the first step. It’s tough but there are things you can do. Move vegetation away from the house. Don’t keep stacked firewood or kindling near the home. Tree limbs should be trimmed so that ants can’t use them as a bridge. Same goes for clotheslines and wires if possible. Tools and toys that lean against the home are a no-no too. Don’t give carpenter ants a chance and you’ll be first stage in preventing them access. If the house rests on the ground and wood is part of the foundation, you may need to do some work to cover it up. Be careful when bringing in packages or items from the outside, inside. Even a shopping bag or toy left to rest on the ground could harbor a carpenter ant that will find your kitchen a goldmine, forage around to find out what’s there, then leave a scent trail back to the ant colony for others to follow.

If things get too bad, it’s time to go to war. There are some things you can do on your own but it’s best to call in a professional. The reason being is that the professional knows these creatures inside and out. They know their modus operandi and will be able to do things you won’t even think of. A professional will do a thorough inspection of your house and the surroundings. They’ll look for the opportunity spots that ants like, they’ll sue equipment that can detect if ants are hidden deep inside the structure of the home where eyesight and superficial examination would be fruitless. They might have to do some drilling and removing of wall portions or floors, roof pieces and more. Not a major thing or major displacement, but just enough to examine and apply the proper pesticides. Remember, each state has rules as to what pesticides you can use, so don’t pick up something from your uncle’s house in the neighboring state and drive home to use it, it could get you in trouble which is another reason to hire a professional.

Once the professional applies what’s needed they’ll give you further instructions on how to do carpenter ant control. You may have to change some habits but it’s worth it.