How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants live in forested areas of the world. They make their nest in wood. Many people confuse carpenter ants with termites. Termites are insects that consume wood, whereas carpenter ants just build their nests in dead and damp wood. Carpenter ants often attack wooden structures and can cause a lot of costly damage.

How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants hollow their dead tree limbs, timbers, woods in homes, etc. to make their nest. They only chisel the wood and don’t eat it like termites. In a house, many objects and furniture are made of wood. Carpenter ants can infest anywhere. They usually make nests under the window, decks, porches, etc. They like to be in damp wood, but even softwood is comfortable. Let’s look at how to get rid of carpenter ants and control their population.

Sprays

Spraying pesticides will not be of much value as you will kill only a fraction of the population. The major part of the ants would be sitting in the colony and you will be killing only the workers.

Treating the affected area

One should go for a treatment that targets the whole colony. First, locate the colony by seeing where the sawdust is coming from. Once you find the place, use a dust insecticide in the wood. Apply it directly into the cavity. Use a tube to do this and not the hands. Fill a bottle full of the dust insecticide and inject the dust by squeezing and releasing the bottle. However, it will be better if you call a professional pest controller.

Baits

Some insects and animals can be fooled with bait, but not all. The carpenter ant feeds on much different stuff and thus, bait might not be very successful.

Dust formulations- There are many dust formulations made for home use. Some of them are: Apicide, Deltadust, Drione. These are used by professionals and may not be given over the counter. These formulations control bees and ants, which get stuck in the wall. While using these, make sure it does not come into contact with humans or pets.
Liquid insecticides- These insecticides are smart and do not kill the infected insect immediately. Instead, it works like a virus and infects other colony members as well. But these are very strong and can only be used twice a year. It cannot be used anytime you feel like it, as it harms humans too. They are only to be used by licensed pesticide applicators.

• Always try to target the colony and apply the pesticide or dust.

• Sometimes, you might have to use the sprays on a monthly basis.

To prevent more infestation, trim all the branches of trees that surround your house so that the branches do not touch the house. Also, paint exposed wood furniture and replace already infested wood and furniture.