Carpenter ants in Frisco act like carpenter ants from other areas of the country. Some do not pose any threat to your home and some can pose a significant threat. The most important structural pest is the black carpenter ant, Camponotus pennsylvanicus. These ants can be found from Texas to North Dakota and all the way to the East Coast. If they get into your Frisco home, they can chew galleries that weaken support structures and cause cascading issues. Here is a quick identification guide to help you detect these ants and the damage they do.
What Do Carpenter Ants Look Like?
Black carpenter ants are entirely black. The workers are about ⅝ of an inch long, which makes them the largest species of ants you'll see inside your home. If you need more identification, you can capture one with clear packing tape and examine the ant closely. Look at the waist of the ant, between the thorax and abdomen. If you see a single node there, that is all the confirmation you need. A large, black, and with one node is a black carpenter ant.
Winged Ants — Often, the first carpenter ants you'll see are winged ants. This is because the worker ants are nocturnal and prefer to do their nefarious deeds under the cover of night. Winged ants can appear in the daytime, especially in the spring. If you see a large black ant with wings, you're looking at a flying carpenter ant. Termite swarmers are also black and have wings but you don't have to worry about mistaking a carpenter ant for a termite swarmer. A flying carpenter ant will be more than an inch long. A termite swarmer will be less than ⅝ of an inch—that is including its wing length.
What Does Carpenter Ant Damage Look Like?
When black carpenter ants get into Frisco homes, they usually target areas that have been damaged by moisture. If you have rotting wood, this is the first place you should check for carpenter ant damage. This damage will look just as you would expect it to look. It will appear as if insects are chewing on your home, which they are. You may also notice trenches or tunnels. These will be smooth to the touch. If you happen to uncover termite tunnels, they will have a gritty texture to them. This is because subterranean termites bring soil into their tunnels.
What Does Carpenter Ant Control Look Like?
If you find evidence that black carpenter ants are attacking your Frisco home, the best course of action is to contact All-Safe Pest & Termite. We specialize in the elimination and control of wood-damaging pests. The products and methods we use are widely recognized as industry standards. You can trust that our team will provide your property with the best protection.
A home investment is one of the largest investments a family will ever make. Don't trust your equity to just anyone. Reach out to All-Safe Pest & Termite today and request a free estimate. We'll send an expertly trained and fully licensed pest control professional to your home. After the inspection, you'll be given the results. From these results, we can guide you toward the ant control solution that is right for your specific needs and for your budget.
Once your carpenter's ant infestation has been corrected, we can part ways or you may consider ongoing, always active pest protection for your home. The best way to deal with damaging and dangerous pests is to stop them "before" they get in. If you have questions about this, feel free to ask your pest control technician during your service visit. Our goal is to help you protect your health and property from the negative impact of pests in the most cost-effective and convenient way possible, and there is no better way to do that than with an ongoing pest control plan.