During cold weather, carpenter ants typically enter a state of dormancy. But if you have a nest in your home, mild temperatures (hello, global warming!) and even warmth from central heating can “awaken” them.
You’ll see the ants walking around, moving a bit slow. And you’ll likely find them near a sink or tub looking for water, usually a night. (Carpenter ants are nocturnal.)
The ants cause more damage to wooden structures in Canada than any other pests. They tunnel through wood timbers, weakening the structural integrity of your home.
If you find carpenter ants or see signs of them in your home, you need to act fast. The DIY ant control experts at Pest HQ suggest you do the following:
- Identify. Make sure you’re dealing with carpenter ants. You don’t want to employ control strategies only to learn you used the wrong ones for the pest causing concern.
-
Inspect. Find the nest by following the ant trail. The nest in your home is likely a satellite nest, which the ants establish to expand their colony. Satellite nests are typically found in walls, under attic or subfloor insulation, or any type of void.
In spring, you’ll need to find their primary outdoor nest, which may be located in a tree, fence post or landscape timber up to 300 feet away.
During warm months, the ants travel back and forth between the primary and satellite nests. So you’ll also need to find out how they’re entering your house.
-
Eliminate. To rid your home of carpenter ants (get tips), target their nests, where they’re entering the structure, and where they are active indoors.
Use a combination of products, including ant stations or traps filled with insecticide bait, Diatomaceous Earth(often called DE ant powder or DE ant dust), and ant repellents, which come as aerosols, foams, sprays and organic sprays.
- Prevent. Take steps to make your house less attractive to carpenter ants. Fix moisture issues like leaks from pipes and roofs. Replace damaged and decayed wood. Cut back vegetation touching the house. Caulk gaps where wires and pipes enter the structure.
Questions? Contact the ant experts at Pest HQ!
Read more:
Carpenter Ants and What They Eat
What is Diatomaceous Earth and How to Apply It
