A Quick Guide To Get Rid Of Those Pesky Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants often build their nests in wood and they see homes as a fantastic choice for their new nest. A slight consolation about finding carpenter ants in a home is that they do not eat wood; they merely treat it as a nest. However, there is still a need to remove these pests and protect your furniture. It will certainly cause trouble if these ants get into your food and water source! Here is a quick guide on how you can remove carpenter ants.
Find the nest
The first step you can take is to find their nest, but being able to recognize these ants before you start your search would be beneficial to your cause. Carpenter ants have 3 body segments, 6 legs, and are either black or brown. Do not mix them up with termites! Worker ants do not have wings while the ants that are able to reproduce are winged. Carpenter ants also have bent antennaes and walk in long trails.
Frass is a sawdust-like material that is the end product when ants bore into the wood. It is a tell-tale sign that carpenter ants are present. Look for signs of damages by inspecting your wooden furniture to see if they slits or holes. These ants like to nest in these openings where the wood is slightly damp. Follow the ants back to the nest and proceed to remove the nest if it is within reach. If it isn't, proceed to the next step to lure the ants out.
Lure them out
Attempt to lure the ants out by using honeydew, sugar or any sugary fruit. Place the bait near the nest to increase the chances that the ants will take the bait. This process would take up some time.
Use toxic bait
Toxic bait is a highly effective method that is commonly used if the nest is hidden or beyond reach of a concerned individual. Using carpenter ant toxic bait, mix it with milk, water or sugar and place the solution near the nest. The bait should be slow acting to ensure that the worker ants carry the bait to the nest without dying halfway. Simply wait for the remaining ants to receive the bait and consume it. The process takes about 3 days to complete.
Do not spray insecticide as it warns the other ants that an attack is imminent. The ants might find another home to nest in and the problem might persist.
Or apply a direct dusting
Homeowners can also apply a direct layer of carpenter ant dust on the surface of the wood that the ants walk on. This method works even better if the dust can be applied or poured into the ant's nest. Different dust solutions have different methods of application and it is important to follow the instructions.
A common type of dust is called diatomaceous dust and is non-toxic to humans. It can be ordered online or bought from pest control companies. If you find that you are allergic to such substances, find someone to help you with it!
Find the nest
The first step you can take is to find their nest, but being able to recognize these ants before you start your search would be beneficial to your cause. Carpenter ants have 3 body segments, 6 legs, and are either black or brown. Do not mix them up with termites! Worker ants do not have wings while the ants that are able to reproduce are winged. Carpenter ants also have bent antennaes and walk in long trails.
Frass is a sawdust-like material that is the end product when ants bore into the wood. It is a tell-tale sign that carpenter ants are present. Look for signs of damages by inspecting your wooden furniture to see if they slits or holes. These ants like to nest in these openings where the wood is slightly damp. Follow the ants back to the nest and proceed to remove the nest if it is within reach. If it isn't, proceed to the next step to lure the ants out.
Lure them out
Attempt to lure the ants out by using honeydew, sugar or any sugary fruit. Place the bait near the nest to increase the chances that the ants will take the bait. This process would take up some time.
Use toxic bait
Toxic bait is a highly effective method that is commonly used if the nest is hidden or beyond reach of a concerned individual. Using carpenter ant toxic bait, mix it with milk, water or sugar and place the solution near the nest. The bait should be slow acting to ensure that the worker ants carry the bait to the nest without dying halfway. Simply wait for the remaining ants to receive the bait and consume it. The process takes about 3 days to complete.
Do not spray insecticide as it warns the other ants that an attack is imminent. The ants might find another home to nest in and the problem might persist.
Or apply a direct dusting
Homeowners can also apply a direct layer of carpenter ant dust on the surface of the wood that the ants walk on. This method works even better if the dust can be applied or poured into the ant's nest. Different dust solutions have different methods of application and it is important to follow the instructions.
A common type of dust is called diatomaceous dust and is non-toxic to humans. It can be ordered online or bought from pest control companies. If you find that you are allergic to such substances, find someone to help you with it!
