What are carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants are a large species of ant that is very common in Rhode Island and Massachusetts. They nest in wood and in large numbers they can cause significant structural damage.
What do they look like?
Carpenter ant workers are about 1/8 to 1/2 an inch long, depending on which specific species you are dealing with. They can be all red, all black, or a combination of red and black. Carpenter ants in the house are often thoselarge black ants you see wandering about.
Do carpenter ants bite?
Carpenter ants can bite, but they rarely bite humans and they are not venomous. When they do bite it does not cause any damage.
Are carpenter ants dangerous?
Carpenter ants do not spread diseases or infections; however, they can still be dangerous. The danger with carpenter ants comes from the fact that they make their nests in wood. If they choose your home for their nest, they can cause serious structural damage.
What are the signs of a carpenter ant infestation?
An indication that you have carpenter ants and not another species of ant is small holes in the wooden structures in your home. These are the openings where the ants go into their nest. There is often a small pile of sawdust below the openings.
Why do I have a carpenter ant problem?
The ants most likely found their way into your home while foraging for food. When carpenter ants infest a home, it is most likely a satellite colony that has established there because of the warmth, safety and nearby food sources.
How do I get rid of carpenter ants?
Getting rid of carpenter ants is extremely difficult. The source of the infestation must be found and the entire colony must be eradicated. If you only eliminate the satellite colony, they will most likely find their way back in and re-infest your home. The best way to take care of an ant problem is to call a pest control professional.
Carpenter ant prevention tips from Big Blue Bug Solutions
To prevent a carpenter ant infestation, make sure all food sources are eliminated. Store all leftovers in tightly sealed plastic containers and immediately clean any spills or messes. Also, seal any possible entry point from outside, such as ripped screens or openings around pipes and vents. If this is not enough, call Liberty Pest Control today for a quote on carpenter ant control.