Many homeowners are aware of and try to avoid a termite infestation in their home. Another pest that should be on your radar as a homeowner is the carpenter ant as well. These pests can inflict a great deal of damage to your property when they are left unchecked in your home. While they are different than termites, there are several things that are similar between carpenter ants and termites too. A-Tex Pest Management is here to talk a little about carpenter ants and why you definitely don’t want them infesting your home.
How are Carpenter Ants & Termites Similar
Just like termites, carpenter ants will eat at the wood in your home. They don’t ingest it like termites do, but they hollow out the wood to make a space to build their large nests. The damage they can cause to your home happens at a different pace than termites as well. Carpenter ants don’t work as quickly as termites do to eat away at your home’s structure. If there are any areas in your home that has sustained water damage, those areas are more appealing to carpenter ants because of the ease at which they can hollow out damaged wood. As their colony grows, they will start to travel throughout your home to find different areas where they can build larger nests.
Carpenter Ants Swarm Like Termites
What many homeowners don’t realize is that carpenter ants swarm just like termites do in the spring. Termites also send out swarmers that look for new places to start a new colony. It isn’t uncommon for homeowners to mistake swarming carpenter ants for termites as they look extremely similar. If you see swarming carpenter ants, it is a sure sign that you have mature colony living in your home somewhere. It can be difficult to locate a colony until you see these winged ants because they are nocturnal. By the time you see swarmers, you could have as many as 2,000 ants living in the walls of your home.
Locating Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are the largest ants found in the US. They measure almost ½ inch long and are usually dark brown, red or black. They are attracted to many of the same foods you eat including food that is greasy or sweet. If you notice that there are little piles of sawdust on your windowsills or in the corners of your home, it could be left behind by carpenter ants. Seeing any of these large ants walking around your home is one of the most common ways that people realize they have a problem.
Ant & Termite Pest Inspections, Treatment, Control, Removal & More in Austin, Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville & Cedar Park Texas
If you have spotted a carpenter ant or termite in your home, you need to call on A-Tex Pest Management for a pest inspection. We will check your home for any active colonies and get rid of them before they damage your home. Call us today!
