Previously in the Ultimate Guide to Carpenter Ant Removal we learned about the carpenter ant basics, why we get carpenter ants and how they love to get to work. Now let’s look at some of the damage caused by these ants.
Remember, carpenter ants are tricky customers, so if you’re unsure what to do give us a call and one our ant control technicians will help you out.
Carpenter ant damage
We’ve all heard a story, or know someone who’s home was destroyed by carpenter ants. Yes, they are a destructive machine. If left to their own devices for too long, they can literally chew up your structure and spit it out, costing you more than an arm and a leg to fix it!
Westside Pest Control owner Mike Londry locates a bad infestation at a home in Vancouver.
Remember, they love wood
Carpenter ants are those ants that will chew their way through your house’s wood infrastructure. It’s interesting to note that unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood, they simply excavate it to build tunnels and chambers for their colonies.
As they’re not able to digest cellulose; carpenter ants instead they prefer dead insects, honeydew from aphids, plant secretions, and even rotting fruit.
–> Need Help Removing Carpenter Ants From Your Home? Get a Free Quote <–
Creating tunnels
The tunnels created by carpenter ants often can’t be seen because the activity takes place inside of the wood. If you suspect there are ants in a particular piece of wood, tap it and then listen for the tell-tale rustling sounds you can often hear if you listen hard enough – kind of a “snap crackle pop” (Rice Crispies) Oh, and if you see large, winged ants crawling out of the wood on your home, it’s as sure a sign as you can get that the ants have set up a parent nest.
Another important tell to determine whether you have carpenter ants or termites is to have a look at the tunnels in the wood if you are able. If there’s mud or dirt in the tunnels, it means you have termites, because carpenter ants like tidy passageways.
They love damp, wet wood
Damp wood in a home as a result of leaks from poor construction, damage to the structure, or poor maintenance is the perfect habitat for carpenter ants, which are constantly on the lookout for places to raise their young. To get to either, they burrow their way through the damaged wood, and eventually chew through newer, drier wood to get from place to place.
In the process, they weaken the wood structure, which could eventually cause it to require significant repairs that will be expensive. In the absolute worst-case scenarios, the building could eventually collapse from the damage, although the likelihood is extremely minimal.
Damage at a home in Vancouver
The frame of this shed was destroyed by carpenter ants.
Carpenter Ant Destruction (frass) unearthed during a renovation
Major colony of carpenter ants pouring out of a nest during one of out teams treatments
How to prevent damage?
The best way to avoid damage caused by carpenter ants is to keep your home in good repair, and to prevent opportunities for moisture to rot the wood around the building. This is always a challenge in Metro Vancouver, but the good news is carpenter ants will not start an assault on your home by attacking dry wood although they will set up satellite nests in dry wood or Styrofoam insulation. The best defense is ensuring that any opportunities for moisture to do damage are minimized.
–> Next up, learn how to eliminate a colony
Need assistance with ant issues?
Westside Pest Control is the no1. Ant Control company in the lower mainland. In addition to carpenter ants, we also treat for Fire Ants and Pavement Ants. If there is a need for professional help with an infestation contact of of the team today on 604-559-9060, we would be happy to help.
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