When it comes to pest infestations, carpenter ants are one of the biggest concerns for business owners in Canada. Known for their ability to carve into wood, these little insects can pose serious risks to the structure of commercial settings such as warehouses, offices, and industrial facilities. But what are the signs your property has carpenter ants? What can we do to prevent an infestation and how can we get rid of these little intruders? In this blog, we share valuable information that will help you have a better understanding of carpenter ant infestations.
Where Do They Prefer to Nest?
Carpenter ants carry this name because of their habit of carving into wood to build their nests. Just like many other types of pests, these insects are attracted to moisture and food. Water-damaged wood is the favourite place of carpenter ants to nest.
What Do Carpenter Ants Usually Eat?
In the natural environment, carpenter ants will typically eat insects and bugs they find. However, when making their way onto your property, carpenter ants can also be attracted to human food, especially sweet substances including sugars, juices, jellies, syrup and more.
What Are Common Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestations?
The first and most obvious sign of a carpenter ant infestation is spotting them in your place. Even though some might live outside your property, spotting them inside your business may be an indication that an infestation has already started.
Piles of wood shavings are also common signs of carpenter ants, as their habit of carving into wood typically leaves traces of where they have been. These piles are mostly found dropped out from nest exit holes in wooden water-damaged parts of structures such as roofs, doors, and windows.
Another sign of carpenter ant presence is an ant graveyard. Carpenter ants do not leave their deceased inside a nest and a pile of perished ants beside a wooden part of a structure can be a dead giveaway that they are nearby.
Can Carpenter Ants Damage My Property?
Unfortunately, yes. Carpenter ants are known for being very persistent pests and, once they find their way into the wooden areas of your property, they will carve as much as they can in order to expand their nest. The problem is that the wooden structures carved by these ants become hollow and fragile, which can pose serious structural risks to both residential and commercial areas.
How to Prevent or Control an Infestation?
The most effective way of preventing carpenter ant infestations is making the structure of your property less appealing for these pests. The lower the amounts of water-damaged wood in the area, the less attractive it is for carpenter ants.
Preventing water damage can be done by improving and maintaining building HVAC systems, water-proofing exteriors, clearing gutters, extending downspouts away from buildings, repairing foundation problems, monitoring water pressure in pipes, repairing leaks, regular building inspections, and maintaining drainage systems such as sump pumps with a backup generator.
If you are already facing an ongoing infestation, you might need to get the help of a professional to help you eliminate these insects. Pest control specialists will be able to set out baits in appropriate areas and apply specific insecticides inside gaps and onto structures to control the ants.
Efficient Pest Control Services in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba
Have you spotted signs of carpenter ants in your commercial property recently? Looking for reliable pest control solutions in Alberta, Saskatchewan, or Manitoba? Poulin’s Pest Control is here for you. We offer a variety of services that can help you keep your property safe from ants, bees, cockroaches, mosquitoes, and other pests. Don’t hesitate to give us a call and let us provide you with the efficient pest control solution you have been looking for.