Carpenter ants are mainly attracted to wooden structures. Like most pests, they crave warmth, shelter, and food sources.
What Attracts Carpenter Ants?
In order to prevent carpenter ant and termite infestations, it’s crucial to understand everything about these pests and their habits. Let’s take a look at what attracts carpenter ants in the first place.
Decaying Wood
Softening or rotting wood allows these pests to excavate with ease. Deteriorating wood and older trees are extremely attractive nesting sites for carpenter ants.
Food
Indoors, carpenter ants are typically attracted to protein-rich and sweet food sources. This can include any sugary spills or even pet food that is left out. Keeping a clean and sanitary environment acts as a deterrent against these unwanted pests.
Excess Moisture
Damp or water-damaged wood is an ideal location for carpenter ants looking to establish nests. Keep an eye out for any improperly sealed windows, leaky roofs, and pipes, as these are moist environments that the pests will seek out.
Warm Areas
There are two main things that carpenter ants look for in a home: warmth and shelter. Especially during the colder months, these pests tend to wander indoors to find a warmer location. It’s suggested to invest in air-tight insulation to discourage them from entering your home.
Wood Structures
Carpenter ants are naturally attracted to wood structures. This can include anything from inside the home to sheds or garages. Carpenter ants are willing to explore any wooden structure that could provide an ideal setting for nesting.
Where Do Carpenter Ants Live?
These ants typically build nests within wood. While they usually nest in damaged or decaying wood outdoors, it can become quite easy for them to burrow through to the indoors. Once inside your home, they build a place to live, including an elaborate tunnel system.
A colony’s choice to move inside could be a sign of rotting structural wood or excess moisture in the home or building. These ants do a great deal of damage with their tunneling habits, which can compromise the structure’s overall integrity.
What Are The Signs Of A Carpenter Ant Infestation?
Carpenter ants are not sneaky creatures, as they will often leave piles of wood shavings near entryways and baseboards. Larger colonies are also likely to create some noise, so you may be able to hear some rustling sounds coming from your walls. Large, dark-colored ants flying around your home can also indicate carpenter ant activity.
How To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants
Baits, sprays, wood injections, and powders can be used to treat carpenter ants. These treatments can also work with drywood termites, which are typically found in similar locations. A combination of methods is usually your best bet since the pests often hide deep inside the wood.
Contact the team at Poor Boy Termite Control in Scottsdale, AZ for more information!
Termite Control Phoenix Metro Area
Poor Boy Termite Control can solve all of you termite issues. We only deal with termites as the name implies. We use thermal imaging, with no drilling or guessing. At Poor Boy Termite Control we detect termites and treat them. If you have a termite infestation, Call Poor Boy Termite Control at (480) 994-4240 and schedule an appointment before the problem gets worse!
