Carpenter Ant Exterminators In New Jersey & New York
In nature, carpenter ants promote the decomposition of rotting trees. However, inside homes and businesses, they can cause significant structural damage. If you’ve come across carpenter ants in your New Jersey home or New York City business, reach out to Horizon Pest Control for a free consultation.
About Carpenter Ants
Red and/or black in color, carpenter ants get their name from how they build their nests. Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. Instead, they bore through wood, forming smooth tunnels in order to build their nest. When mature, carpenter ant colonies can consist of 10,000 to 20,000 workers. In larger colonies, that number may jump to over 50,000.
When it comes to homes and businesses, carpenter ants have been known to wreak havoc on structures. Through wet, rotted wood, they can enter a building. Once inside, they gnaw through wood, compromising its structural integrity over time. Although rare, carpenter ants may bite in defense, causing a good deal of pain.
Signs of an Infestation
If you notice worker ants and/or winged ants, called swarmers, it’s a good indication that there’s a colony located nearby. Another possible sign of a carpenter ant infestation is the presence of small openings in wood materials, like siding. As they excavate, the ants will drive out debris that looks like sawdust shavings. This type of debris may signal an infestation. In addition, keep in mind that carpenter ants prefer moist, decaying wood. So if your home or business has a moisture problem, you should check these areas for signs of an infestation.
Preventative Measures
There are a number of steps you can take to prevent a carpenter ant infestation. First and foremost, you should fix moisture problems as they arise. Carpenter ants prefer moist, decaying wood to dry surfaces. You’ll also want to seal off any cracks or openings around your foundation to eliminate potential entry points. In addition, make sure to stack firewood away from the structure and cut back any tree branches that currently touch the exterior walls or roof.
Choose Horizon as Your Carpenter Ant Exterminators
Many DIY ant treatments only treat visible issues. In order to fully eradicate ants from your home or business, the source of the problem – the nest – needs to be eliminated. Stop a carpenter ant infestation before it causes any more structural damage. Contact the experts at Horizon today.
