Pest Control MN | Carpenter Ants
Ants belong to the insect family Formicidae in the order Hymenoptera, the same order comprising bees and wasps. Ants are also without a doubt, the number one pest problem in the country.
Some 12,000 species of ants are crawling over the globe — more than 100 species in Minnesota alone! Their colonies are enormous, numbering up to 300,000-500,000. That is a whole lot of ants. And sometimes it may seem like they’re all partying on your kitchen counter!
Ants Are Everywhere!
They crawl over the rocks, they pile up sand on the sidewalk… ants are everywhere! We just don’t want them in our kitchens!
Carpenter ants are among the largest and most common ants in Minnesota. It is common to find carpenter ants in homes during spring as they forage for food. It is important to try to determine whether the ants are coming from an outdoor or an indoor nest, although this can be difficult.
Outdoors, the nests of ants can be identified by their characteristic mounds. Nests may also be constructed next to or under house foundations, sidewalks, patios, or in decaying tree trunks.
Indoors, ants may nest in walls and behind baseboards. Often, ant trails enter through a crack but the nest may be some distance away. Some ants may also nest in decayed or rotting wood in your home.
Preventing Carpenter Ant Problems
Ant Damage
Since ants can gain access to a home through small cracks and crevasses, the key to controlling these pests is cleanliness. So, keeping a tidy ship can help. Any food or flavored liquid can attract and sustain ants. Store food in tight containers. Remove plants that can attract ants and other insects that produce honeydew. Reduce moisture sources, including condensation and leaks.
Remember, ants are usually associated with moisture, especially where wood is involved. Carpenter ants are attracted to areas where wood is moist or constantly exposed to rain or leaks, such as near doors, windows, roofs, etc.
Remove leaves and other debris that clog gutters. Clogged gutters may lead to wood rot problems on fascia and soffits.
Never stack wood near or against your home. It can lead to problems with termites, carpenter ants and other pests.
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What to Do About Ants
First, one must identify the species of ant involved in order to apply the prescribed treatment. These can include bait stations or basic insecticides. However, many times these treatments are misused and prove inadequate.
The most effective way to combat ants is with an inspection by a Minnesota Pest Control Expert. They can also repair any damage they may have caused in a way that will prevent them from coming back!
