Part of what makes pests difficult to understand and manage is their intricacies. Just about any critter, you can think of has an array of subspecies with unique attributes. There are more to the differences besides size and color. Contrasts between physical characteristics, behavioral patterns, eating habits, and habitat are often present. Sometimes, the most critical variations are regarding risk factors. This is certainly true with ants.
All ants pose a threat because of the germs they carry. They can easily contaminate food and surfaces, which may lead to a number of illnesses. Among them are salmonella and viruses. What’s frightening is that several ant classes come with additional dangers. For instance, carpenter ants can destroy the wood of your Dallas home. Find out what draws them and how you can prevent these bugs with Dynasty Pest Control.
How Do Carpenter Ants Function? What Are the Hazards?
Carpenter ants can and will ruin wood by digging tunnels inside of it for nesting. Rotten tree bark, logs, and lumber are examples of the kind of material they typically target. They will penetrate holes in wires and utility lines, vents, and foundations to enter your abode. Overhanging tree branches are how they get across roof lines. On the way, they’ll feed on other bugs or honeydew secretion from aphids. Upon arriving at their destination, sugary foods, proteins, meat, and pet food will be their focus. Considering what carpenter ants consume, seeing them suggests a greater pest issue.
Working from the inside and then out, the activities of carpenter ants will cause your walls and structural bases to deteriorate. Unsteadiness will befall them. You’ll be facing a disaster once the damage is visually obvious. Though termites are faster with their havoc, carpenter ants can create an equally expensive repair bill. Unfortunately, you likely won’t know the pests are around until things are dire. If you knock on a foundation, they might crawl out of the surface. With these facts in mind, being familiar with infestation signs are key, such as:
- Finding piles of wood shavings blended with ant body parts
- Discovering the shed wings of swarmers
- Hearing clicking and rustling inside of walls
- Hollow sounding walls
Being 0.25 to 0.50 of an inch long, carpenter ants are a bit larger than many of their relatives. In terms of color, they are black, red, or reddish-black. However, multitudes are orange, brown, yellow, or tan. Chunky mandibles are what make the workers who shred wood distinct. Wings outline the bodies of swarmers, who exit nests in the spring to reproduce and begin new colonies. If you look by windows and lamps, you may see them.
How Can You Prevent Carpenter Ants?
Perform these tasks to have carpenter ants at bay:
- Close openings in windows, doors, paneling, foundations, caulk, and utilities.
- Add sweeps and weather stripping to doors and windows.
- Have moisture issues and leaks repaired; start with any dampening wood.
- Get rid of decaying wood and trees.
- Store food and garbage in containers with tight lids.
- Wash dishes and vacuum often.
- Place greenery and loose wood two feet away from the property.
- Contact Dynasty Pest Control if you have critters carpenter ants eat.
What Will Dynasty Pest Control Do About Carpenter Ants?
Don’t bother with commercial shelf goods for carpenter ants. At best, a few bugs will die. In order to solve an infestation, the entire colony must be wiped out. We at Dynasty Pest Control have mighty but safe treatments that will reach nests inside walls and eliminate these insects. Our plans are easy on the wallet and wide-ranging. Warranties, specialty services, and organic solutions are available. Contact us today at Dynasty Pest Control for a free inspection