The Damage Carpenter Ants Can Cause and How to Prevent Them
People residing in Washington are well aware of ant infestation in homes and commercial properties. There are about 700 species of ants found in the U.S. alone. Most of them are annoying and do not pose any significant threat to the owner or property.
But, then, there are carpenter ants, which are known to cause considerable damage to the property by putting the structural integrity at risk. Most people who are suffering from an infestation of carpenter ants look towards Saela Pest Control for assistance in dealing with the infestation effectively.
In this blog, we are going to take a look at what damage carpenter ants can cause and discuss some preventive methods to deal with the infestation.
The Risk Posed by the Tiny Pests
Out of all the species of ants, carpenter ants are arguably the most problematic because they are prevalent and cause structural damage. Carpenter ants dig through the wooden structures in order to create nests, and over time, it significantly compromises the structural integrity of numerous wooden objects present inside the home.
Repair or replacement costs are high, resulting in financial loss. Most insurance companies do not even cover the damage caused by carpenter ants, but of course, the policy does vary depending on numerous factors.
Carpenter Ants vs Termites: Who Does More Damage?
Carpenter ants do less damage than termites because the ants are not good at keeping the damage a secret.
When carpenter ants dig a hole through the structure, they push frass out because they do not consume the food, and that gathers on the walls and floors, which alerts the owner of a threat, and professionals are called to take care of the situation.
But when the sawdust accumulates in places where it is hard to detect, the carpenter ants keep damaging, and the damage starts looking pretty much like what termites do.
Moreover, carpenter ants weaken the support beams and cause a structure to warp, the same as termites. To summarize, carpenter ants are more easily detected than subterranean termites.
How Do You Identify Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are typically more giant than most other ant species. The length does vary from one-quarter inch to about an inch and differs in colors based on the species they belong to.
The full-length carpenter ants are winged ones produced by a mature nest. If you see carpenter ants on your property, it is time to call a professional before they do more damage to the property and result in costly repairs and replacements.
How to Prevent Carpenter Ants?
Carpenter ants are attracted mainly to rotten wood, so controlling moisture around the property eventually makes it less appealing for carpenter ants to infest.
- Fix broken or obstructed gutters that let water run around the side of the home.
- Trim down trees and bushes so that sunlight reaches those areas where there is excessive shade.
- Loosen compacted grounds because that would not let rainwater pool near the foundation walls.
- Fix leaky hoses and damaged fixtures.
- Move construction-related materials or firewood at least 20 feet away from the foundation walls.
- A two-foot border needs to be placed between the mulch and the foundation, or you should consider switching from mulch to crushed stone.
Need of an Intervention from Pest Control Services!
If such infestations are left untreated, the overall damage can be pretty significant and cost the owner of the property a lot to get everything repaired or replaced, wherever required.
The best way to address an infestation is by letting a professional pest control company handle the situation. It does not merely get rid of carpenter ant infestation but, at the same time, seals all the potential entrances for such ants to infest the property again for quite a long time.
The cost of service is merely a fraction of the cost of replacing and repairing the damaged property, making it a rational choice for the owner.
