If you’re a conscientious Canadian homeowner who lives in a wood-filled home, you may have already guarded your home against the destructive nature of termites and carpenter ants. Unlike the more common black house ant that you may see traversing your kitchen countertops, carpenter ants are larger, more invasive, and easier to spot.

You may notice that carpenter ants seem unusually attracted to trees — and now, you’re concerned about your yard and its foliage being overtaken by the colony of ants you thought you’d eradicated. Are these pests harmful to trees, or should you reconsider your worries? Learn more about this species and determine whether it’s the right time to call carpenter ant pest control in Vaughan.

Are Carpenter Ants Attracted to Trees?

Yes, they are — but the answer is more complicated than you may think. While carpenter ants are attracted to any type of wooden structure that they can burrow into and create a nest for themselves and their colony, they typically aren’t considered a threat to a healthy tree. If you have several colonies in your yard or you’re dealing with a potential infestation in the house as well, you should schedule an inspection with residential pest control. 

Why Are They Attracted to Trees?

Carpenter ants are attracted to areas of rotting, damp, or extremely soft wood. These spots are usually found in older or dead trees. Carpenter ants burrow into soft or damp spaces to create a network of elaborate tunnels. You can imagine why it’s a terrible idea to ignore a carpenter ant infestation in a residential property as this burrowing can weaken the foundation of a home and cause damage to its walls. 

Can Carpenter Ants Infest a Tree?

Yes — but depending on where the tree is in proximity to your house, this may not always be a cause for concern. A carpenter queen will form a central colony in a larger area (like a moist, decaying tree), while her workers will set up satellite colonies in stumps, logs, and other trees.

These ants prefer living in wetter environments and raising their larvae in drier ones. It’s a good idea to talk to a home pest control company if you suspect that your carpenter ants are setting up satellite colonies close to your home. These pests may view your home as potential real estate for their next colony!

How Can You Help Your Trees?

In most cases, the carpenter ants are nesting in the outer layers of an older tree, and you won’t have to take dramatic action to eradicate the nest of carpenter ants from a tree in your yard. Consider the following situations in which you should get help for the infested tree:

• The tree is already dead: A dead tree that is close to your home or patio can spell trouble for your residence, and there’s no point in keeping it around. It’s often better to get rid of the tree if it’s both dead and infested.

• The tree is extremely large: While a small tree wouldn’t pose much of a problem to your yard or your home’s inhabitants, a large, infested tree that could possibly topple over is a cause for concern.

• The tree is too close to your home: If you have concerns about your home becoming a potential satellite colony, please schedule an inspection sooner rather than later.

Get in Touch

Truly Nolen provides Vaughan and the surrounding areas with experienced and thorough home pest control solutions. Schedule your inspection with us today to learn more about carpenter ant pest control in Vaughan to keep your home (and yard!) in great shape this season.