Carpenter ants are pesky insects that multiply quickly and can cause incredible amounts of damage to the structure of your home. If you notice signs of the pests in your Brant County Home, it’s important to take quick action to minimize the amount of damage caused. Here are three things you should do immediately if you need carpenter ant removal.

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Carpenter ants are attracted to wood that has been damaged by moisture. The dampness of the material makes it easy for the pests to chew through the wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually eat wood; rather, they chew through it and make small piles of shavings to create elaborate webs of tunnels. If left untreated, a carpenter ant colony can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to your home.

The insects are easy to recognize because of their size. Carpenter ants are much larger than the annoying black ants you find in your kitchen occasionally. Carpenter ants also differ in colour. They are often reddish black in appearance, although they can sometimes be entirely black or completely red. If you see any large ants around your home or notice any of the following signs, you need to call a professional immediately for carpenter ant removal:

• Small piles of wood shavings, also known as frass, around your home.
• Weak and damaged wood around the house.
• Chewing noises when the ants burrow into your walls.

There are several insecticides you can use, but they are rarely effective for eliminating an entire colony of carpenter ants. You’re better off trusting a professional to get rid of the insects. Truly Nolen has a team of experienced technicians who know what it takes to get rid of carpenter ants. Once we get rid of the infestation, we’ll help you determine how the carpenter ants accessed your home and show you how to prevent them from returning.

Find the Nest

You can’t get rid of a carpenter ant infestation unless you find the main nest. The problem with carpenter ants is that they usually have multiple nests. The main nest houses the queen and the eggs. As the colony grows, it will produce satellite nests that house the worker ants. If you leave even one nest behind, the infestation could quickly take over your house again. It’s essential to find all of the nests and treat them to get rid of a colony of carpenter ants.

Eliminate Sources of Food and Water

Carpenter ants love to take up residence in places where they can easily access food and water. Although they typically feed on other insects, they will turn to crumbs on your floor as an easy food source. If they find water in your sink, they are more likely to stick around because they also have easy access to water. One of the best ways to deter carpenter ants is to keep your home free from food particles. You should also take care not to leave water out for pets where carpenter ants can easily reach it because it provides an easy source of fluid for ants.

Call the Experts for Pest Control

DIY methods of removing carpenter ants are not usually effective. If you aren’t knowledgeable about the pests, you will likely miss some of the nests while you are trying to remove the insects from your home. It’s best to leave carpenter ant removal to the professionals, and when you need pest control in Brant county, Truly Nolen is here to help. Our staff of skilled technicians is ready to eliminate the entire carpenter ant colony from your home, so contact us today to schedule an appointment.