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HOW TO GET RID OF CARPENTER ANTS

What Are Carpenter Ants?

Physical Characteristics of Adult Carpenter Ants:

Size: Adult carpenter ants vary in size, typically ranging from 5/8th to 1/2 inch (16-13 mm) in length. Queens, on the other hand, are notably larger and can reach up to 1 inch (25 mm) in length.
Coloration: Carpenter ants exhibit a range of coloration, which can include black, red, yellowish hues, or even combinations of these colors. Their diverse coloring distinguishes them from other ant species.
Mandibles: While they may not wear tiny tool belts, carpenter ants possess formidable mandibles. These strong mandibles are their primary tools for tunneling through wood and other materials.
Body Structure: Carpenter ants feature a unique physical structure, including a single node waist and a thorax with a uniformly rounded upper surface. This distinctive body shape sets them apart from other ant species and is particularly suited for their wood-excavating activities.

Understanding these physical characteristics can aid in the identification of carpenter ants and differentiate them from other ant varieties.

an image showing carpenter ants and how their damage looks

How Do I Identify Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are one of the most noticeable ant species in New Jersey, distinguishable by their size, color, and behavior, as well as the type of debris they leave behind. These ants are typically larger than many other ant varieties and are either black or dark brown in color. Unlike army ants, carpenter ants do not form large, continuous swarms, nor do they move in single-file lines like leaf-cutter ants. Instead, they tend to gather around food or water sources.

One of the clearest signs of carpenter ant activity is the wood bits they leave behind. When carpenter ants bore into wood to create their nests, they discard the wood, producing a material that looks like shredded sawdust. This is distinctly different from the mud-like residue produced by termites. If you notice wood shavings around your property, it may indicate a carpenter ant nest.

Additionally, the damage carpenter ants create differs from termite damage. Termites often leave behind mud, insect remains, and other debris inside their nesting areas. Carpenter ants, on the other hand, remove all debris from their nests, leaving behind clean, hollow spaces. This "clean" damage is one of the telltale signs that you are dealing with carpenter ants rather than termites.

How Do I Prevent Carpenter Ants Within My Home?

Preventing carpenter ants from invading your home requires a proactive approach. Resolve Pest Management offers inspections to evaluate your home’s level of risk for carpenter ants, as well as look for signs of previous infestations. Our experts can then recommend and implement preventive measures to keep carpenter ants from getting inside or coming back.

One of the most effective steps to prevent carpenter ants is to remove tree branches that hang over your home. Carpenter ants use these branches as bridges to travel from outdoor nesting areas to your house. Similarly, trimming bushes and keeping grass from touching your home's foundation is important, as these landscaping elements can provide an easy pathway for carpenter ants.

If your home is close to a carpenter ant colony, the risk of an infestation increases. By keeping the perimeter of your home clear and making it less accessible, you can significantly reduce the chances of carpenter ants invading your space.

Do Carpenter Ants Cause Damage?

Carpenter Ants: A Threat to Structures

Carpenter ants may not pose a direct threat to human health, but they are indeed hazardous to the integrity of homes and other buildings. Here's how:

Invasive Behavior: Carpenter ants infiltrate properties in search of sustenance and shelter. Once inside, they have a knack for slipping behind walls or beneath floors, where they commence the construction of tunnels and nesting zones within the structural wood of the premises.

Structural Damage: The tunnels and nesting spaces meticulously crafted by carpenter ants can progressively undermine the structural stability of a home or building. Over time, these activities weaken wooden components, potentially leading to costly and extensive structural damage.

While not harmful to people, it is essential to recognize the threat that carpenter ants represent to the physical integrity of structures. Swift action and professional pest management are critical to prevent or address potential infestations that could compromise the safety and longevity of your property.

Why Do I Have Carpenter Ants?

Carpenter ants are attracted to trees and shrubs, but they won’t hesitate to enter your New Jersey home to establish a nest. Often, carpenter ants expand from a nest in a nearby shrub or tree, finding entry points into your property. If you burn firewood, these ants can hitch a ride inside on a piece of wood, eventually making their way into your living space.

Carpenter ants can also nest in stored wood, which can then lead to infestations throughout other areas of your home. In some cases, carpenter ants use utility lines as a pathway to get behind walls and set up a colony. Identifying and sealing potential entry points, as well as keeping firewood stored away from the house, are key steps to prevent carpenter ant problems.

How Long Do Carpenter Ants Live?

Carpenter ants are known for their longevity, which makes them particularly challenging to control. The queen of a carpenter ant colony can live up to 10 years, while worker ants can live for as long as seven years. Due to their long lifespan, waiting for a colony to die out naturally is not a viable solution—it’s essential to take action right away.

If you’re dealing with carpenter ants in your New Jersey home or business, Resolve Pest Management is here to help. Our experienced professionals can assess the situation and implement an effective treatment plan to eliminate the colony and protect your property from further damage.

Don’t wait—contact Resolve Pest Management today for professional carpenter ant control.

Protecting Your Home from Carpenter Ants with Resolve Pest

When it comes to eradicating a carpenter ant infestation and ensuring it doesn’t return, precision and expertise are essential. Resolve Pest Management is your trusted partner in protecting your New Jersey property from carpenter ants.

Why Choose Resolve Pest Management?

Specialized Knowledge: Our experienced pest control professionals have the specialized knowledge required to thoroughly locate and treat carpenter ant colonies and nesting sites.
Comprehensive Solutions: We provide a range of pest control services tailored to eliminate carpenter ants efficiently and effectively, keeping your home and surroundings safe.

If you've noticed carpenter ants on your property, take immediate action. Call Resolve Pest Management today at 1-732-527-5770 or schedule online today and let our dedicated experts address and eliminate the infestation, ensuring a pest-free environment and lasting peace of mind.

Protecting Your Home or Business From Carpenter Ants With Resolve Pest

Resolve Pest Management provides effective and efficient pest control services to keep carpenter ants and other pests from invading your New Jersey home or business. We utilize Integrated Pest Management (IPM) techniques, which focus on targeting the root of the pest problem and controlling carpenter ants at the source. Our approach ensures that pest control materials are applied responsibly, minimizing risks to human health, pets, and the environment.

Contact Resolve Pest Management today to discuss a personalized pest control solution and keep your property pest-free.