As a homeowner in Mississauga, dealing with any kind of pest infestation can be a frustrating and stressful experience. However, when it comes to carpenter ants, it’s important to take quick action to protect your property from potential damage. They are often confused with termites, but they are a different species altogether. These insects can cause serious structural damage to your home if left unchecked.
In this blog article, we’ll take a closer look at these common household pests and provide you with all the essential information you need to know. From how to identify them in the house to how to get rid of carpenter ants on your property, Truly Nolen has you covered.
Understanding Carpenter Ant Behaviour and Habits
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t consume your home’s wooden structures, rather they excavate them, creating smooth tunnels within the wood they infest. They are known for establishing colonies inside the wood, with their preference lying in damp areas, facilitating the growth of their population.
These ants typically forage for food at night, venturing out of their nests in search of proteins and carbohydrates. They tend to feed on a variety of food substances, ranging from dead insects to household sweets and kitchen scraps.
Your Home at Risk: Carpenter Ants and Structural Damage
Carpenter ants pose a significant threat to the very foundation of your home, given their ability to build elaborate nests within wooden structures. Over time, as these “galleries” grow in size, the integrity of the wood diminishes, leading to potential structural failure if not addressed in time. Understanding the risks of an undetected or untreated infestation is critical in maintaining the safety and value of your property.
Common Places to Find Carpenter Ants in Your Home
Frequenting humid and moist climates, carpenter ants gravitate towards areas in your home that fulfil these conditions. Common areas where they may set up their colonies include:
- Wooden structures near a water source like leaky pipes, drains, and faucets.
- Kitchen and bathroom cabinets if they are made of wood.
- Porch pillars and deck wood that often get damp.
- Wooden furniture or structures in basements and attics.
Understanding the habits of these creatures is crucial in identifying and effectively dealing with an infestation. By learning about their preferred nesting places and food sources, you can more easily prevent these pests from taking up residence in your home.
Identifying Carpenter Ants: What to Look For
Recognizing them is a crucial defence in the war against these home-wrecking invaders. While they look similar to common ants, there are distinct features that set them apart. Here’s what you need to know:
- Size: They are among the largest ants, ranging from 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch in length or even more.
- Colour: They are usually black, but some species have red or yellow colouring.
- Shape: Unlike common ants, they have a rounded thorax and a single node (petiole) between their abdomen and thorax.
- Wings: During certain times of the year, mature they grow wings for mating and establishing new colonies. Remember, flying ants are not termites, although they are often mistaken for each other.
In addition to physical characteristics, clues such as wood shavings (resembling sawdust) near wooden structures, a rustling sound within walls, or observing worker ants foraging for food can also indicate the presence of an infestation.
Professional Inspection and Treatment
If you suspect an infestation, it’s best to engage a pest control professional. Experts are trained to identify different species, can accurately assess the extent of an infestation, and will implement a tailored treatment plan to protect your home from future invasions.
Moreover, the do-it-yourself treatment options available in the market may not effectively eradicate the entire colony, as carpenter ants often establish satellite colonies in different locations. Thus, hiring a professional pest control service ensures all colonies are found and thoroughly treated.
The Dangers of Infestations
Additionally, carpenter ant infestations present various health risks. While they’re not known to transmit diseases, the pests often venture into less-than-hygienic areas before invading your kitchen, food, and other areas of your house. Potentially, they could carry disease-causing bacteria that can contaminate your food and living spaces, leading to food-borne illnesses. Moreover, individuals with allergies might react to ant fragments that may infiltrate household dust, causing them to suffer from allergic reactions or asthma attacks.
The Stress of an Infestation
While the physical consequences of carpenter ant infestations are serious, the psychological impact isn’t to be ignored. The knowledge that your home, your sanctuary, is under attack by these pests can be very stressful and disruptive. This can lead to sleepless nights worrying about the damage they’re causing or the potential diseases they might bring.
As problem-solving residents, it’s in your hands to be proactive and vigilant against the risk of carpenter ant invasions. If caught early enough, a comprehensive pest control strategy can be initiated to remediate and protect your home.
Pest Control for Carpenter Ants with Truly Nolen
While DIY measures may sometimes seem like a cost-effective solution, they often prove futile in the face of a full-blown infestation. Professional pest control services like Truly Nolen provide comprehensive solutions that not only get rid of existing ants but also take precautionary measures to prevent future infestations.
Why Choose Truly Nolen for Pest Control?
- From cutting-edge techniques to licensed pest control professionals, Truly Nolen stands out as a leading pest extermination service in Mississauga. But why should you trust us with your home? Here are just a few reasons:
- Expertise: Truly Nolen has years of experience in dealing with carpenter ants in the Mississauga region. We understand the unique challenges posed by local climatic conditions and adapt our strategies accordingly.
- Custom Solutions: We realize that every infestation is different. Therefore, we offer custom solutions tailored to your specific needs rather than the “one-size-fits-all” approach.
- Environmentally Conscious: We are committed to using eco-friendly pest control solutions that are safe for your family and pets, while also being effective against pests.
- Swift Responses: Time is of the essence in the battle against carpenter ants. Our team responds promptly to service calls, ensuring that the infestation is tackled before it can cause more damage.
Truly Nolen offers top-notch service built on years of expertise and a commitment to customer satisfaction. And that’s not all!
Truly Nolen’s Seven-Step Carpenter Ant Control System
To effectively manage carpenter ants, Truly Nolen employs a seven-step control system:
- Perform a thorough inspection to identify the level of infestation and possible nesting sites.
- Apply a non-repellent product to eliminate colonies and scout ants.
- Employ a dust injection treatment into nest locations for a comprehensive extermination.
- Apply granular ant bait around your property as a preemptive measure against future infestations.
- Conduct a follow-up visit to ensure the treatment’s effectiveness.
If you’re a homeowner in Mississauga facing a carpenter ant problem, Truly Nolen has got you covered. Reach out to us today to reclaim your home from these destructive pests.