When you think of carpenter ants, it’s entirely possible nothing positive comes to mind. But did you know they serve an important role in the ecosystem, and have some benefits for gardens as well? Carpenter ants are fascinating creatures…as long as they don’t come too close to your home or property.
What Should I Do if I Have Carpenter Ants?
A carpenter ant infestation won’t go away by itself… and ignoring it is not an option. If you think you might have carpenter ants, try to make a positive identification.
Examine your home and nearby wood structures for damage. Signs of carpenter ants include tiny openings on wood surfaces; clean, debris-free tunnels that cut across the wood’s grain; and small piles of sawdust and ant parts outside the tunnel openings.
If you even remotely suspect the presence of carpenter ants in or around your home, don’t experiment with unproven, incomplete DIY treatments that put your greatest asset at risk. Call us right away and stop the problem in its tracks.
Do Carpenter Ants Do Anything Good?
Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t actually eat wood. Rather, they burrow into it to build their nests.
Yes, they can damage structures. But they typically tend to take up residence in damp or decaying wood like tree trunks. Their burrowing helps the environment by breaking down this decomposing wood and enriching nearby soil with it.
Carpenter ants are very clean and social insects. They keep their nests tidy by removing decaying food and deceased ants, and they band together to collect resin with which to disinfect the nest. They consume termites, budworm larvae, and small invertebrates that can damage plant life.
How Serious Are Carpenter Ants?
Unfortunately, if you have carpenter ants inside your home, they can do significant damage. They can even cause safety issues if they tunnel through your home’s framing or weaken secondary structures like decks or overhangs. With enough carpenter ant damage, these can collapse or fall – potentially injuring you or your family.
Damage from a preventable insect infestation almost certainly will not be covered by insurance, so ignoring carpenter ants could cost you tens of thousands of dollars. This is a situation when the proverbial ounce of prevention is absolutely worth a pound of cure.
Twin Forks Can Solve Your Carpenter Ant Problems
Carpenter ants in the wild may have some benefits… but if you find carpenter ants in or near your home, it’s time to call an experienced exterminator. Twin Forks Pest Control® is here to help, with more than 25 years of eliminating destructive pests like carpenter ants. We can address the active infestation, treat the wood on your home to prevent future incursions, and restore your peace of mind.
Call us today for a free estimate.
