How to Tell if I Have a Carpenter Ant Infestation in My Memphis Home
11/15/2021
Ants are among the most common and known insects that exist. You see them outside on the driveway or on your picnic blanket at the park. Most of the time, you wouldn’t give a second thought to an ant. What if, however, you started to notice more ants than usual, especially inside your Memphis home? You might have a carpenter ant infestation.
How To Identify Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants tend to look like your average ant, but they have distinct features to look for. Some characteristics of carpenter ants include:
- Color combination of red and black
- Six legs
- Long antennas
- Segmented oval body
- ⅝” inches in length
Most of the time, carpenter ants are black but can also be completely red. It’s important to note that while you think the red ants in your home may be fire ants (and they very well might be), there is a chance that you might be dealing with carpenter ants.
Destruction Caused By Carpenter Ants In Your Memphis Home
The destruction caused by carpenter ants makes sense when you think about their name. These pesky creatures are similar to termites in that they burrow through and destroy wood and wood structures. It’s important to note that they do not consume wood for nutrition. They destroy the wood and “carve it out” to build nests for habitations for their colonies.
When colonies are mature and fully formed, there can be up to 50,000 carpenter ants that have nested within the wood structure of your home. Besides literally biting away at your home, they also propose a sanitation threat. Due to their relentless destruction, it’s important to know the signs of a carpenter ant infestation.
Four Signs Of Carpenter Ants In Your Memphis Home
There are key signs to look for when questioning a carpenter ant infestation, and we here at Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife want to make sure you know what you are looking for.
1. Small openings on wood - This can include walls, doors, door frames, and furniture. These ants will create exit points for travel and discarding excess material, including sawdust-like wood shavings.
2. Wood shavings - The discarded sawdust-like wood shavings will be noticeable in small piles where they are thrown to. You might find these small piles next to the wall, on or near furniture, or near doors outside or inside.
3. Rustling noises from inside the walls - With thousands of ants reproducing and working, you are likely to hear soft scurrying noises within the wall. The sound is often similar to a light buzz or fabric being dragged across a surface.
4. Winged ants and body parts - You are likely to notice a larger presence of winged ants and body parts from ants, especially near the wood shaving piles.
These signs can clearly indicate whether or not you might need help with a carpenter ant infestation.
Why Might I Have an Infestation in the First Place?
You might have an infestation because of minor points of entry for carpenter ants. They are known to be able to enter your property through cracks and small holes surrounding doors, window frames, crawl spaces, damaged siding or brick, and holes in the ceiling. These ants can get creative when it comes to entering your home. If they are ambitious enough, they will chew straight through damaged or weak wood for entry.
To prevent their entry, complete routine checks of all possible points of access. Seal up holes and cracks surrounding common entryways. Ensure you replace any damaged, weakened, or wet wood that may be attractive to these creatures. Keep all debris, firewood, or yard trimmings away from the perimeter of your home. They can begin a habitat outside and quickly work their way inside if given the opportunity. You can also use a dehumidifier in your home to lessen the amount of moisture damage that is attractive to carpenter ants. It’s also wise to consider trimming trees near your home to prevent them from coming in from above. Routine checkups on your property and minor repairs can make all the difference down the road.
Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife Is Here to Help At The First Sign of Carpenter Ants
Call us, the experts at Dart Pest, Lawn & Wildlife, to treat your Memphis home if you find yourself in the middle of a Carpenter Ant infestation. We have the experience and knowledge to return your property to an infestation-free zone. Call us today to learn more about our carpenter ant control methods and comprehensive home pest control plans.
Tags: carpenter ant prevention | carpenter ant damage | carpenter ant control
