The following case study recounts a carpenter ant extermination in Guelph, Ontario. Carpenter ants had chewed their way through the wood of a newly constructed shed and caused a significant amount of damage. To remove them, a technician used high quality pesticides and a professional applicator that reaches every single ant within the colony. If there are carpenter ants on your property and you want them gone, call Pest Control Guelph: 519-900-1180.
Inspection
The homeowners in this case gave Pest Control Guelph a call when they noticed an alarming amount of ant activity in their shed. The shed was still under construction and they could see that the ants had already caused a lot of damage to the plywood above the window. Carpenter ants are destructive pests that are known to get worse with time, so the owners needed a quick solution.
A technician soon arrived to investigate the situation. Our technicians are thoroughly trained in ant control and can therefore determine the species and the cause of the problem. Understanding which pest you are dealing with and where they are coming from are keys to a successful removal. Upon arrival, the technician found that carpenter ants were destroying the plywood within the shed, above the window. The infestation was not severe enough that the shed would need to be torn down, but the bugs had already dug themselves into the wood.
While it is unknown how the ants got there, they may have been living in the wood where it was being stored prior to construction or gotten into it later when the unfinished shed was exposed to rain. Carpenter ants are excellent climbers that are attracted to damp wood. They do not eat it, but they dig tunnels in the wood to build nests. The ants in this case found the wood suitable for living and climbed up the walls of the shed to build a nest above the window.
Treatment
To get rid of the ants, the technician immediately sprayed the infested area with an ultra-light volume mist. This consisted of a very fine, insecticidal spray that reached deep in the cracks and crevices of the shed, eliminating the ant colony that was hidden inside the wooden structure. Following the spray, the technician performed a crack and crevice treatment on the exterior of the property to help stop any more insects from crawling inside.
The insecticides that our technicians use eliminate carpenter ants on contact and continue to work for weeks after they have been sprayed. This means that it is possible to continue seeing some ant activity after the treatment has taken place. Two weeks after the initial treatment, the homeowners were concerned that the ants were still active. While the first treatment would continue to work at this time, a technician came to inspect anyway.
During the follow-up, the technician noted that there were no ants to be found. All ant activity within the shed had stopped. To be sure that it would stay this way, the technician retreated the area with another spray. The shed has since been carpenter ant-free.
Conclusion
Carpenter ants are destructive little pests that will infest any wooden structure, especially those that are left out in the rain. The ants in this case saw the shed as an opportunity to build a nest somewhere quiet. If there are carpenter ants on your property, give Pest Control Guelph a call. The damage these ants cause will only get worse with time, and their colonies will continue to grow. Our technicians are highly experienced in carpenter ant removal and have the tools necessary to get rid of them for good. Call Pest Control Guelph today: 519-900-1180.
