Carpenter ants are one of the most common culprits when it comes to property damage in our area, rival only to termites in terms of the sheer prolific trouble they represent. They can often go undetected for extended periods, all the while eating through the internal structure of your home. If you're to successfully fight back against these unruly insects, it's important to be well-informed. That's why we've arranged this quick and easy guide to carpenter ant control, where we'll outline everything you need to know. Today, we're going to discuss how to identify and prevent a carpenter's problem in your Katy home.
Easy To Spot Signs Of A Carpenter Ant Infestation On Your Katy Property
The ants themselves are easy enough to recognize. Carpenter ants are large, growing to be about half an inch long, with black carapaces and prominent mandibles. They'll usually congregate around sources of food and nesting material, which generally means wood. Check any fallen branches, dead trees, stumps, rotten fence posts, or piles of firewood.
When they make their way inside, it's usually due to an excess of moisture they can exploit for easier food and nesting. In your home, check any damp crawl spaces, around window and door frames, and look for any sagging or disconcerting sounds in your walls. Here are a few of the more obvious signs of their presence:
- Sawdust-like piles around your baseboards, doors, and windowsills
- Winged ants seen crawling around your home
- Shed wings from their swarmers
- Rustling noises from inside the walls
The Damage Carpenter Ants Can Cause To Your Katy Property
Carpenter ants may not inflict a venomous bite, but in large enough numbers, they can cause significant damage to the structural integrity of your home, tantamount to the damage caused by termites. Although carpenter ants don't feed on the cellulose of wood as termites do, they still tunnel through internal structures to make their colony's nests, which results in untold property damage. Left to their own devices, a carpenter ant colony will cost you a lot of time, money, and mental fortitude in treatment and repairs. That's why it's best to prevent them or catch them early if you can't.
Ways To Prevent Carpenter Ants From Coming Back To Your Katy Property
Here are some proven prevention measures to take, alongside your tailored treatment plan with All-Safe Pest & Termite.
- Keep your yard clear of any organic debris, including dead trees, stumps, fallen branches, mulch, or leaf piles.
- Maintain a concrete or gravel perimeter around the exterior of your home to ensure the ants aren't drawn towards it.
- Install door sweeps and bug screens.
- Seal up any potential entry points, such as cracks or crevices in your home's foundation or walls.
- Limit excess moisture and humidity, and repair any signs of rot as soon as possible as this attracts new ant colonies.
In the end, if you want to eliminate your ant problem, partner with the knowledgeable professionals at All-Safe Pest & Termite.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants, Fast!
The safest, surefire way to rid yourself of a pesky carpenter ant colony is to contact the professionals. Reach out to the experts at All-Safe Pest & Termite for a comprehensive treatment plan fully tailored to your unique concerns. Our highly trained technicians utilize only the cutting edge in technology and techniques to keep your Katy property pest-free permanently. With over thirty years of experience backing you up, you're sure to be satisfied with All-Safe's customized service. The solution to your pest problem is only a call away.