Carpenter ants are notorious for their destructive nature. They create extensive networks within the wooden structures of your home, weakening them in the process. Although observing their presence is a likely indicator that they have invaded your home, there are other reliable methods to confirm the issue before implementing a carpenter ant control strategy:
- Piles of wood shavings beneath wooden areas. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not consume wood. Instead, they chew through damp wood to construct tunnels for their nests. They then push the chewed wood into open areas, resulting in piles of damp wood shavings, also known as frass, beneath wooden structures like window sills, baseboards, and door jambs.
- Large, winged insects or wings remain on your property. If you notice flying ants or wing remnants emerging from your property’s ceilings, crawlspace, or other hidden crevices, you likely have a carpenter ant problem. Mature, reproductive carpenter ants usually fly to other areas to mate and establish new colonies. This activity peaks between late spring and early summer, and it’s a strong sign of an established carpenter ant colony in your home.
- Audible clues. On average, carpenter ant colonies number in the thousands. You may occasionally hear rustling in your walls, ceilings, or floorboards as they busily excavate tunnels through these wooden structures. Additionally, you may notice a hollow resonance when knocking on wooden beams and walls, indicating significant hidden structural damage.
The best way to address a possible carpenter ant infestation in your home is to enlist professional carpenter ant control services immediately. A professional will perform a further examination to determine whether this is the case before suggesting a suitable carpenter ant control strategy. If you live in the Apex, North Carolina area and have observed any of these signs, give us a call today.