MN Pest Control for Minneapolis and St Paul
A little about Carpet Ants
Have you noticed a flow of large black ants hanging around somewhere in your home? Maybe you may have noticed some sawdust around your baseboards in the same general area as the ants? Chances are you have a carpenter ants trouble and you need to take care of them immediately. Carpenter ants can cause a lot bit of
damage in a short period of time, and what’s worse is they multiply rapidly.
What are carpet ants?
There usually between 1/4″ – 1/2″ long. They nest in damp locations; carpenter ants prefer to excavate wood that has been damaged by water. From their nests in the beams, floors or walls, they search the house for food crumbs and insects. Carpenter ants may appear in several colors, although the most important species are black. Carpenter ants mature in about two months and immediately start enlarging the nest.
Where will I Find Carpenter Ants?
It’s a common misconception that carpenter ants eat wood, but that is false. They actually tunnel through wood, pushing it aside as they borough through it which
is why you may see traces of sawdust around the area where they appear. Carpenter ants love damp climates and moist areas, damp wood, any dark void, a few morsels of food. Places that get a lot of rain are particularly vulnerable. In your home, you’re likely to find carpenter ants nesting around a sink in the kitchen or bathroom. Maybe even around plumbing leaks, clogged gutters and downspouts. This makes them difficult to control, particularly since colonies may be found in any dark void- hollow curtain rods, hollow-core doors, ceilings, dead wall space, etc.
Signs to look for:
- Trails of workers around the kitchen, pantry, and other areas of your home where food is stored.
- Listen for ant sounds last at night when it’s the quietest. When the ants are chewing, or simply moving around the
nest, they make a sound like rustling cellophane. - Sawdust like material that workers kick out of their nest during excavation.
Unlike termites, carpet ants do not eat wood. They search for syrup, honey, jelly fruit, meat, grease, fat and other domestic foods. If these favorites are not
available, the ants will feed on dead or living insects or any other type of organic matter. Even with a clean home there is no guarantee. When carpet ants
move in, the first thing they do is look for food. If you are experiencing or noticing some of these signs in your home or office, give Minnesota pest control a call.
