Table of Contents
What’s the very first thing that pops into your mind when you think about the ant? A tiny, little red or black creepy crawler with a crooked antenna? Maybe a pest hauling around a food crumb about twice the size of his head? Whatever the situation is, there are all kinds of unique things that could be said about the ant. While this might be fascinating information, it will only make your quest for detection and elimination more difficult. This is where our pest management services come in. Whether it is an in-home consultation you need or emergency services, we want you to feel free to reach out to us.
With this in mind, there is only so much we can do. Successful ant detection, elimination, and prevention will require cooperation from both sides. Once again, that’s what we are here for. We are here to educate you and your family so that you can be prepared in your battle against ants. And believe me, it will be a battle.
What Is The Carpenter Ant
The first and most important thing you need to understand is there is a whole slew of different ant species. Yes, this matters because not all share the same characteristics. Differing characteristics mean different elimination and detection techniques. The species we are going to be discussing today will be the carpenter ant. The carpenter ant will be the biggest threat to homeowners in your specific area. Although the carpenter ant can be destructive, the species is extremely easy to identify. This is at least one thing you have in your corner.
It starts with their size. Carpenter ants are the biggest ants of any species. They are so big; you can easily identify them with the naked eye. They are huge and usually black. Like many ant species, they do construct their original colonies 300 to 400 feet away from the property. However, when this initial colony reaches its maximum size, the swarmers will break off and look to start secondary colonies in wooden structures. They prefer damaged, damp, and moist wood, as opposed to treated, stained, or varnished wood.
Another thing to note, these ants do not eat the wood shavings, also known as frass, leftover. This is important because it can be one of the very early detection signs. If you spot frass piled up in the corner, you’ll want to get our pros on the phone and out to the home. You may find these piles near your wall studs, floor joists, and sometimes even need wooden furniture. Keep your eyes peeled.
Other Identifying Signs
What was mentioned above will not be the only identifying signs of a carpenter ant infestation. Other indications will be the presence of big, black, and red ants in the home, trails or paths in your lawn, and noises. At night, or even during the day, if you are quiet enough, you might be able to hear ants rustling about in the walls. Listen for crunching or scraping noises. Other indications will be large, winged ants protruding from the ceilings, walls, floor joists, and cracks and crevices. When the swarmers find suitable wood housing, they shed their wings so the presence of wings around windows and doors could be another indication of an infestation.
Regardless, if you even suspect for one second your home is infested it will be imperative to get our pest management office on the line.
If you have any other pest control issues please check out other services.
Our Service Area
Atalissa, La Porte City, Hopkinton, North English, Millersburg, West Liberty, Monticello, Tipton, Brandon, Langworthy, Mount Auburn, Ladora, Rowley, Ryan, Hills, Stanwood, Olin, Garrison, Parnell, Keystone, Williamsburg, West Branch, Luzerne, Coggon, Troy Mills, Prairieburg, Walker, Anamosa, Morley, Vinton, Marengo, Mechanicsville, Conroy, Urbana, Iowa City, Van Horne, Blairstown, Central City, South Amana, Coralville, Oxford, Martelle, Homestead, Oakdale, Center Point, Lisbon, Tiffin, Middle Amana, Watkins, Springville, Newhall, Alburnett, Shellsburg, North Liberty, Amana, Solon, Mount Vernon, Norway, Toddville, Palo, Atkins, Walford, Robins, Marion, Swisher, Ely, Hiawatha, Fairfax.
Zip Codes We Served
52776, 52772, 52720, 52499, 52498, 52497, 52411, 52410, 52409, 52408, 52407, 52406, 52405, 52404, 52403, 52402, 52401, 52361, 52358, 52354, 52352, 52351, 52349, 52346, 52345, 52344, 52341, 52340, 52338, 52337, 52336, 52334, 52333, 52332, 52330, 52329, 52328, 52325, 52324, 52322, 52320, 52319, 52318, 52317, 52316, 52315, 52314, 52313, 52312, 52310, 52308, 52307, 52306, 52305, 52302, 52301, 52257, 52253, 52252, 52251, 52249, 52246, 52245, 52244, 52243, 52242, 52241, 52240, 52237, 52236, 52235, 52233, 52229, 52228, 52227, 52220, 52219, 52218, 52214, 52213, 52210, 52209, 52206, 52205, 52204, 52203, 52202.
