The carpenter ant has become an increasingly common pest in Canada. With a large number of wooded areas, this is of no consequence. This ant species has an affinity for wood, but it should be remembered that the ants do not eat wood; they only choose to nest within it. Most of the time these ants will choose to live outdoors, but there are instances when the ants will forage around in search of a more attractive and preferable home indoors. This can usually occur during the autumn and winter months when the temperatures are colder, yet carpenter ant foraging can occur during any time of the year. Finding a carpenter ant nest is not usually a difficult task, but there are some things to look out for since the behaviour of this insect closely matches that of termites.
Carpenter ants will forage through wood literally anywhere inside of a home. Attics, specifically attics that contain a large quantity of wood or insulation, are some of their most popular areas to build colonies, although this can occur anywhere in the home where wood is present. A nest will typically be covered in a sawdust-like substance known as frass; this is the leftover wood that carpenter ants have expelled as they dig their tunnels. Once you see an area of wood that has tiny holes with frass covering the floor, this is a clear indicator of carpenter ants. This could also be termites as well, therefore, it is important to consult a pest control Guelph professional to diagnose the exact cause of the problem.
This ant species is mostly attracted to moist wood. This can mean that the ants will usually prefer wood that has previously housed another insect species or previous carpenter ant colony. This is also why attics are so popular due to their close exposure to the outside atmosphere. They also prefer humidity in addition to moist wood which allows them to thrive and sustain themselves most easily. Always start inspecting wood that looks damaged or is moist and then look for the appearance of the ants themselves or the presence of frass. The wood will likely have numerous holes on the outside of it near the frass.
Finding a carpenter ant nest is a task that can easily be undertaken by a homeowner. When it comes to attempting to exterminate the ants, a pest professional should always be consulted since this ant species can be very difficult to get rid of. A specialist can use a complex set of tools and patterns to both ensure that carpenter ants are the insect species in question, and to then begin the process of destroying the ant colony, which can be quite large. This ant species can also live outdoors, usually in decaying or older trees and sheds and garages next to a home. Whether you find a nest indoors or out, a pest professional should be hired to salvage the wood or trees.
