Carpenter ants are often a problem in Monroe, NJ during the warm months of April - September. During this time of the year it is most common to see large black ants crawling around your property and leaving behind small sawdust piles. Identifying them is the first step in preparing for elimination and protection of your home. Being prepared is your best investment in resolving your issues as quickly as possible. This guide will answer your most frequently asked questions and provide insight into carpenter ant issues and behavior.
What do carpenter ants look like?
Carpenter ants are often identified as large black ants by most of our customers. They are in fact much larger than more common ants you may see trailing in your kitchen or between the cracks of sidewalk pavement, which may be your first sign that the ants you have are carpenter ants. It is important to note that some species have combinations of black, red or orange occurring on various parts of the body. Different species occupy different environments within the home, making correct identification very important.
Pavement Ants Carpenter Ants
What is the difference between carpenter ants and termites?
Carpenter ants and termites are both destructive, wood boring insects that appear in the warmer months as they emerge to nest and breed. The key to differentiating carpenter ants and termites is their patterns of nesting as well as several physically distinguishing features.
The largest difference between termites and carpenter ants is that carpenter ants do not eat wood. Instead, they regurgitate small shavings into piles called frass as they barrage through wooden structures to create their habitat. Visible frass is one of the signs which indicates the presence of carpenter ant damage. However, you may not see initial evidence of shavings at the location of each carpenter ant nest. As the colony moves and expands, they become more efficient at cleaning their nest and keeping it free of obstruction.
Termites eat wood, so they do not leave shavings behind when creating their new homes in wooden structures. Termites create mud tunnels to navigate between nesting sites and keep their pathways humid and protected from the outside elements which is not something indicative of carpenter ant behavior. Depending on the stage of their lifecycle, termites may appear milky white with long, segmented bodies. They can also be identified by their long antennae that looks like a long string of small beads as opposed to the solid, thin antennae of carpenter ants
Termites Carpenter Ants
Are carpenter ants destructive?
The short answer is yes. Carpenter ants chew through the wood in and around your property, targeting areas such as:
- Moist or decaying wood
- Decks
- Fallen bark
- Wooden house siding
- Attics
- Ceilings
- Cracks in your walls
- Underneath floor coverings
Each carpenter ant colony produces 9-12 satellite nests as the colony rapidly expands with the onset of warmer weather. This makes it difficult to control without professional help. Cooper Pest Solutions advises against attempting to treat carpenter ant infestations on your own.
Do carpenter ants bite?
Most likely not. Carpenter ants are equipped with large jaws designed to chew through wood. Like most insects, carpenter ants will only bite when they feel threatened in an attempt to ward off predators. If you are bitten by a carpenter ant it may be painful, but there is no real danger associated as they cannot transmit disease. Carpenter ants are territorial of their nesting area to protect their queen and extend the life and ensure the survival of their colony.
How can I get rid of carpenter ants?
There are some preventative steps that you can take to avoid carpenter ant invasions before they happen. Make sure that you are removing fallen branches and bark from your yard on a regular basis. Carpenter ants are attracted to decaying or moist wood, especially if it’s easy to reach. Clean your gutters of wet leaves. Clogged gutters do not drain properly and may create moisture problems within your roof, which attracts carpenter ants. Remove tree limbs that are touching or overhanging your home. Carpenter ants naturally live in trees so it’s no wonder that they would use these avenues to reach your house.
Cooper Pest Solutions offers both proactive and reactive services to clear your property of carpenter ant issues.
Cooper Carpenter Ant Service
If you have a current carpenter ant infestation, Cooper Pest Solutions professionals can come out to treat the outside of your property within a few days. The initial treatment provides a 90-100% reduction of carpenter ant activity within the first 7-10 days. If you are experiencing any carpenter ant activity between your program start date until March of the following year, unlimited service calls are free. For example, if you began carpenter ant treatments for the first time this spring, you will have coverage until March of 2018.
Cooper Carpenter Ant Continued Service
After your program has ended, you have the option to continue unlimited service calls until March of the next year. For example, if you began carpenter ant treatment for the first time this March, you have the option to select continued coverage when your program is complete in March 2018 until March of 2019. Cooper Pest Solutions offers this protection at a discounted rate to customers who elect to continue their protection after their initial program has finished.
You do not need to be home for either of our service programs to take place. All treatments are applied externally, leaving you time to go on with your day worry free.
The Cooper Carpenter Ant System is now available for purchase online! Click the button below to order service and begin treatment as soon as tomorrow.
Our Commitment to Providing Wow Service
We pride ourselves on quality and efficiency for all pest treatments that we provide in Monroe, NJ. All of our staff go through extensive training to provide the WOW experience and the consistent service that our customers have come to expect. We stand by our services so all of our programs including our termite services have a 100% satisfaction guarantee. To learn please call us at 1-800-949-2667 or CLICK HERE to fill out our FREE estimate form.
