No one wants to have ants in their home, but if the pests are carpenter ants, they can be much more than just a nuisance. Carpenter ants feast on wood and can cause severe damage to the structure of your dwelling. It is crucial to call an expert in four seasons pest control for carpenter ant removal in Halifax as soon as you discover these insects in your home. Prevention is the best way to fight a carpenter ant infestation and implementing these five tips can reduce the chance of these pests finding their way inside.
1. Store Firewood and Other Materials Away From the House
It may be convenient to stack firewood against the house, but this habit is almost guaranteed to invite carpenter ants. Almost any type of wood attracts these insects, so it is best to stack firewood a short distance away from your residence. You should also check each log for evidence of carpenter ants before you bring it inside. Any of the following signs could indicate that carpenter ants have tunnelled into your firewood:
- Faint rustling sounds inside the log
- Piles of wood shavings around your firewood
- Tiny holes burrowed into the log
2. Trim Tree Branches Away From the Home
Tree branches that scrape against the exterior of your home make perfect bridges for carpenter ants to access your house. You can make your dwelling less accessible to these pests by ensuring no tree branches or bushes touch your house.
3. Seal All Exterior Cracks and Crevices
Miniscule cracks in your building’s exterior make it easy for carpenter ants to access your home. You should carefully examine the outside surfaces to find any cracks or crevices that may allow insects to get inside your house. The most common areas to locate tiny cracks are around doors and windows. You can use caulk or weather stripping to seal them and deny carpenter ants access to your house.
4. Keep Eating Areas Clean
Although carpenter ants love to eat wood — hence their name — they are attracted to food particles just like other species of ants. If you don’t keep the eating areas of your home clean, you may make your house more appealing to carpenter ants. Store food in airtight containers and keep your kitchen free of food crumbs. If ants find particles of food, they will keep returning to that spot even if you have cleaned it up, so keeping your dining areas tidy is important for preventing a carpenter ant infestation.
5. Repair/Replace Rotting or Damaged Wood
Rotting wood provides the perfect environment for carpenter ants. If you have a rotting doorframe or a piece of damaged wood anywhere on the exterior of your home, you may attract carpenter ants.
It’s best to repair damaged wood immediately when you discover an issue. Sometimes, the wood is beyond repair and needs replacement instead. This project may become expensive and time-consuming, but it is one of the best ways to make your home less appealing to carpenter ants. If you put off paying for repairs and end up with a carpenter ant infestation, the pests could cause extensive damage that is even more expensive.
Call Truly Nolen for Carpenter Ant Removal
If you find yourself dealing with a carpenter ant invasion despite your best efforts to prevent one, it’s time to call an expert for help. The technicians at Truly Nolen Canada are knowledgeable about carpenter ants and have the right tools to remove the entire colony and prevent further damage to your home. Contact us today to schedule an appointment if you’re interested in our Truly Nolen Four Seasons pest control service or need help to get rid of a carpenter ant infestation.