As implied by their name, a carpenter ant problem in the home is particularly concerning. This species is between 1/8-inch and 1/2-inch long and bores through wood. If you suspect that you have these unwelcome guests, call a pest control company to verify and correct the problem. In the meantime, here’s a closer look at why they’re such a threat.

Why Carpenter Ants Are Dangerous

Although carpenter ants have powerful jaws, they’re not interested in biting humans or pets. Once inside your home, they chew through wood structures to make their nests. Unlike termites, they don’t eat the wood, but they do weaken it by hollowing it out, potentially creating serious structural problems.

How to Know You Have Them

Look for small holes in the wooden structures of your home. The ants chew these doorways to get into their nests, and you can usually see a tiny pile of sawdust nearby. If you find one of the ants, whether it’s alive or dead, put it in a clear bag and show it to a professional exterminator for identification.

Why They Come Inside

Usually, the main carpenter ant colony is outdoors. When food is scarce, some of the ants might find their way inside your house looking for food. If they’re successful in finding a source of sustenance, they may establish a satellite colony in your house to keep the supply chain going. If you have damp or rotting wood in your house, it’s easier for the carpenter ants to establish a nest there.

How to Get Rid of Them

Carpenter ants are notoriously hard to eliminate. To prevent both the current problem and a future return, both the satellite and main colonies need to be eradicated. Find an exterminator with experience with this particular type of pest.

Once the immediate problem has been solved, make sure any potential entry points into your home are sealed with caulking or weatherstripping, trim shrubs and trees so they don’t touch your home, store firewood away from your walls, and replace any damaged or damp wood.

To win the war against bugs and other pests in the Cincinnati, OH, area, call the professionals at Select Pest Control. The licensed and knowledgeable team adheres to the highest industry standards and knows exactly how to deal with carpenter ants, termites, bed bugs, and even pesky rodents that have infiltrated your home. Call them at (513) 352-0080 for a free inspection and estimate or visit them online for more information.