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carpenter ants
South Bend Exterminators is a professional pest control company with over 30 years of experience and one of the most highly-regarded local monopolies in the area. In addition to exterminating dangerous, destructive pests, South Bend Exterminators provides our customers with superior customer service and competitive rates. With 5 trucks & 2 techs on staff, we can handle large infestations quickly & effectively.
Carpenter ants are very destructive, costing homeowners $570 million yearly in damages. They nest in wood and can cause damage to lawns, yards, and foundations of homes. The carpenter ant's diet includes almost anything edible, including meats and sweets, making them opportunistic pests. They will weaken structures by tunneling into them for food and water. Appearance & Habitat Carpenter ants are medium-sized ants with a yellowish-brown or black body with intense red or black legs. The abdomens of carpenter ants are yellow, while their heads are black. Ants can be seen in woodpiles, under loose wood, and on the ground beneath decks and patios. They can travel up to 10 feet in search of food and water. Carpenter Ant Identification The carpenter ant is large and with a wingspan of about 2.5–3mm (quarter-inch) across the abdomen; it has distinct ridges on its belly (hence "carpenter" ants). Its head is small (about 0.25–0.5mm) and has two visible antennas, which are longer than the body. Its queen is 1mm in size and lives in the nest of soldiers ants; it is responsible for the function of the colony, laying eggs and tending to larvae (crawler ants). Carpenter Ant Control Treating carpenter ants can be difficult, as they live in wood. To prevent carpenter ant infestations, the first important step is eliminating water sources that might attract carpenter ants. For example, carpeting, upholstery, and other cloth products should be tightly fitted to floors; wooden structures should not have cracks or holes through which water can enter. The best way to eliminate an existing infestation is to find and seal all entry points where ants come into a structure, then eliminate all food sources. |
After that, any cracks and crevices should be sealed with caulking. Cracks in foundation walls or windows must be filled with caulk and cement. Ants need a moisture source (wood) to survive, sealing up any holes in the wood leading out of the structure. Once these tasks are completed, monitoring the area for signs of ants for 6 days is important. If you are still seeing activity, treatment must be repeated until no more ants appear.
To find ants in a structure, you will need to make a visual inspection from the inside and outside of your home. To find the ants' trails, look for any moist areas on the sidewalk, grass, or walkways leading up to the structure. These areas are great places for carpenter ants to leave their colony and travel to food sources.
Carpenter Ant Treatments:
How eliminate the carpenter ant infestation requires locating all their trails leading into the structure and sealing off any entry points of food and water sources. Then, a professional will conduct a full inspection inside and outside your home. The ants are attracted to moisture, so the inspection will include cleaning any areas where you see a trail of dirt or sawdust. Carpenter ants can cause serious damage; they may damage wood, weaken structures, and sick or clog air conditioning and heating systems. If you think you have identified carpenter ants, call South Bend Exterminators immediately. We offer comprehensive pest control services that effectively eliminate all ants for good.
To find ants in a structure, you will need to make a visual inspection from the inside and outside of your home. To find the ants' trails, look for any moist areas on the sidewalk, grass, or walkways leading up to the structure. These areas are great places for carpenter ants to leave their colony and travel to food sources.
Carpenter Ant Treatments:
How eliminate the carpenter ant infestation requires locating all their trails leading into the structure and sealing off any entry points of food and water sources. Then, a professional will conduct a full inspection inside and outside your home. The ants are attracted to moisture, so the inspection will include cleaning any areas where you see a trail of dirt or sawdust. Carpenter ants can cause serious damage; they may damage wood, weaken structures, and sick or clog air conditioning and heating systems. If you think you have identified carpenter ants, call South Bend Exterminators immediately. We offer comprehensive pest control services that effectively eliminate all ants for good.