Carpenter Ants - Part 4

In this final installment on carpenter ants, I am going to address how to prevent carpenter ants in your home or place of business.

Carpenter ants can be destructive, and the damage they cause can be expensive to repair. The best way to treat this pest is to prevent them before they ever find a way into your home.

There are, fortunately, many things you can do to prevent carpenter ants. Carpenter ants need a constant water source to survive, so eliminating moisture or standing water on your property can help to deter them. Consider using a dehumidifier in crawl spaces, basements and attics that are prone to dampness.

You  may also want to trim tree branches and shrubs away from their home, as these often provide access inside for ants and other pests. In addition, fill any gaps or cracks on the outside of the home with silicone caulk.

Keep firewood and other wood building materials stored at least 20 feet from your home, and at least five inches off of the ground.

Most importantly, keep a close eye on your property for signs of carpenter ants. Inspect wood on your home for the appearance of small openings or sawdust. And if you suspect you have a carpenter ant infestation, give me a call right away. The sooner carpenter ants are treated, the less serious the damage is likely to be.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 3

In today's blog, I am going to talk about how to recognize and spot a carpenter ant infestation.

As detailed in an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld, carpenter ants are larger than most other ant species. They range in size from one-quarter inch for a worker ant to up to three-quarters of an inch.  They are black or red, or sometimes a combination of both colors.

Typically, carpenter ants act as “silent destroyers,” quietly tunneling through wood without any external signs of damage. In some cases, homeowners may notice wood fragments and sawdust that fall through cracks the ants have created. Badly damaged wood will have small openings, like little windows.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 2

Carpenter ants, aka "Silent Destroyers," are the number one nuisance pest in the country. In today's blog, I am going to talk about where carpenter ants are found.

As explained in an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld,  there are nine types of carpenter ants in the U.S. These pests are most commonly found in cool, damp climates in the northern regions of the country.

Carpenter ants build their nests in various wood sources, including tree stumps, fence posts, firewood or landscaping. They prefer to attack wood that has been wet or damaged as a result of leaks. Indoors, this means they are often found in damaged window and door frames, crawlspaces under roofs, chimneys, sinks and bathtubs. A mature carpenter ant colony can contain more than 10,000 workers. In large colonies, it is not uncommon to have multiple nests inside structures as well as outdoors.

These destructive, pesky creatures usually gain access to buildings through cracks around doors and windows, holes for wires, or straight through wet, damaged wood. They will also crawl along overhead wires, shrubs, or tree limbs that touch the building far above the ground.

Although carpenter ants first invade wet, decayed wood, they may eventually build paths through dry, undamaged wood, too.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Carpenter Ants - Part 1

Carpenter ants are referred to in our business as "Silent Destroyers." Over the next few blogs, I am going to share vital information on the necessity to find and eliminate carpenter ants.

In an article by Dr. Jim Fredericks for PestWorld,  he stated that there are more than 700 species of ants in the United States. And in fact, ants are the number one nuisance pest in the country.

The most common ant species – like odorous house ants, pavement ants and Argentine ants – pose little threat beyond the annoyance of an infestation. Carpenter ants, however,  can and do pose serious threats.

Of all the ant species, carpenter ants are one of the most problematic, causing serious property damage to homes and other buildings. These destroyer ants get their name because they excavate wood in order to build their nests. Their excavation results in smooth tunnels inside the wood. Much like termites and other wood destroying insects, this excavation can compromise the structural soundness of the wood over time.

 If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
 
www.davespestcontrol.net
Reference: www.pestworld.org

Common Ant Myth

Another common myth is that seeing one ant indoors does not equal a full-blown infestation. Although this can be true, ants leave an invisible chemical trail for other ants to follow once they locate a food source.

If that food source is in your home, you can count on ant colonies developing. And while most ants are considered harmless, there are those - such as fire ants, which sting and carpenter ants, which damage wood - that can pose threats to your family's health and property.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net  
Reference: www.pestworld.org</

Those Darned Ants!

Besides ruining our fun at picnics, some species of ants can be quite destructive to the wood in and around homes. Carpenter ants, for example, like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation.

Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal program from Dave's Pest Control may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.

So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control 
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Some Facts About Ants

Did you know . . .

• After mating, queen ants lose their wings and never fly again.
• Ants are able communicate with each other about danger and directions to food.
• Ants cannot chew their food. They move their jaws sidewards, like a scissor, to extract the juices from the food.
• When excited or disturbed, the acrobat ant workers run about with their abdomens held high above their heads.

Dave's Pest Control
1-800-400-6009
A Central Massachusetts Extermination and Pest Control
Company
Worcester County Pest and Rodent Exterminators
www.davespestcontrol.net

Reference: www.pestworld.org

Damaging Insects

Here's a question for you to ponder... Do ants damage property?

Yes, they do.  Besides ruining human food, some species of ants can damage wood in and around homes.  Carpenter ants, for example, like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation. Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal visit program may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year. 

So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Ants and Property Damage

Besides ruining our fun at picnics, some species of ants can damage wood in and around homes. Carpenter ants, for example, like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation. Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal visit program may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.

So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Pest Health Threats - Part 6

Ants are social insects. Therefore, spotting one ant unfortunately signifies there are many more to follow. Ants are not simply unsightly – they can also be dangerous contaminates to food. Considering that you likely eat multiple meals a day in your home, the presence of ants and the potential for food contamination from their presence is an issue that must be addressed when considering your health and the health of your family.

If you have an ant infestation, be sure to take action to treat the problem and contact Dave's Pest Control to aid you in preventing future infestations.

Call Dave at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
Serving Central Massachusetts
www.davespestcontrol.net

Crazy Ants

The Crazy Ant is part of the family Formicidae (Ants). These ants are known as Crazy Ants because of their characteristic rapid and erratic movement. The worker ants have extremely long legs, making them relatively easy to identify.

Crazy ants were introduced to the United States from India. Their distribution is limited to the Gulf coast from Florida to Texas. They are easily identified by their long legs and their habit of erratically moving from place to place (hence the name "crazy"). Crazy ant trails are not readily obvious because of this erratic movement. The easiest way to find the nest is to look for workers carrying pieces of food or workers with swollen abdomens. These ants are carrying food back to the nest. By observing their movement, it should be possible to find the nest.

Crazy ants are highly adaptable and will nest in a variety of locations, from very dry to moist. They will nest under objects, in rotten wood or trash, in tree cavities, as well as in debris left standing in buildings for long periods of time. These ants feed on a variety of foods including grease, sweets, and other insects. In some areas they are considered a biological control agent for houseflies.

While crazy ants need moisture, elimination of water by itself will not get rid of these ants since they can survive under a wide range of conditions. Elimination of food sources and nest sites are equally important in the management of this ant. Crazy ants do not respond well to baits, so they cannot be relied upon for management of this ant. Surrounding buildings with vegetation-free barriers such as stone or brick (but not wood mulch) will keep ants from entering buildings to nest.

Pavement Ants

The Pavement Ant is also known as Tetramorium caespitum, which are part of the family Formicidae (Ants). They are small pests (ranging from 1/10 to 1/16 inches in length) that can be found in many parts of the United States, as far north as Canada and as far south as Florida.  Pavement ants were introduced to the United States from Europe and occur throughout the eastern United States. They are an important pest in the Midwest and New England.

They build nests along sidewalks, building foundations, and under stones, boards, bricks, and mulch or leaf piles. Each individual colony contains thousands of workers, multiple queens and is usually located at one particular site; White Footed Ants and Carpenter Ants can have satellite colonies or build huge nests that cover hundreds of feet.

Pavement ants are one of the most common small ants invading homes. These ants readily make trails to and from food sources and often forage along the edge of carpeting or baseboards. They are also common around the base of toilets. They often nest in protected areas so the nests may be hard to locate, but this is essential to manage infestations of this species. There can be several thousand in a colony.

If you're concerned that you have pavement ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control Serving Central Massachusetts
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Carpenter Ants - Part 2

Carpenter ants have main colonies and sub (satellite) colonies. The main colony takes about five years to mature and is most often found in the woods. Once mature, the large colony needs help so it sends out swarmers (winged ants) that locate spots in the vicinity where the sub colonies can thrive. Once a spot is found, they rip off their wings and start setting up shop. Each sub colony has a job (such as caring for all the eggs or collecting water) but they are all depend on the main colony and frequently (at night) travel back to the main colony to help it out.

Once mature, a main colony will continually be setting up sub colonies. Homes are ideal for them since there are reliable water sources there (we often find the colonies around window or door frames or in the kitchen or bathroom). The seasonal visit program does guarantee you protection from these continual, wood destroying invaders throughout the spring and summer.

Carpenter ants do not actually feed on the wood. They feed actively from sunset until the early morning hours on most human foods, particularly sweets and other insects.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control Central MA
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Carpenter Ants - Part 1

Carpenter ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation. Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers. In protecting your home against carpenter ants, Modern takes into account the biology of this pest and that is why we try to get people on a seasonal visit program. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.

If you're concerned that you have carpenter ants in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net

Photo source: http://lancaster.unl.edu/pest/resources/carpant004.shtml

The Pest Threat

Here's a question for you to ponder... Do ants damage property?

Yes they do.  Besides ruining human food, some species of ants can damage wood in and around homes. These carpenter ants like to make their nests in porches, roofs, windowsills, even telephone poles.

Ants are social insects that prefer nesting in wood. They commonly hollow out galleries or tunnels in trees, structures, wood, and foam insulation. Carpenter ants are often found in conjunction with moisture problems. An indication of possible infestation is evidence of sawdust, pieces of insulation, nesting materials, and winged adults, known as swarmers.

To protect your home against carpenter ants, a seasonal visit program may be the solution. This allows us to get to your home before the wood destroying ants do each year.  So, if you're concerned that you have an ant problem in your home or place of business, give Dave a call at 1-800-400-6009.

Dave's Pest Control
http://www.davespestcontrol.net