Are Carpenter Ants a Problem You Can Treat in Winter in Lehi, UT? Signs of Infestation, Location of Nest & More

Anytime you have a wood-destroying insect in your home, it is stressful. They can end up causing thousands of dollars in property damage if they are left to their devices for long enough. The biggest problem lies in the fact that the signs of their existence are very subtle and they can live in your home undetected for a long period of time. Carpenter ants don’t die in winter. While it is true that colonies may remain dormant when the air temperature is very cold, heat from the sun or furnace may warm house walls and stir dormant ants to activity. Sometimes, carpenter ants may skip their hibernation phase altogether! The key to avoiding costly repairs to your home is early detection. Rentokil are here to talk about some of the subtle signs that may be present when you have a carpenter ant problem in your home.

Difference Between Carpenter Ants & Termites

There are some similarities between carpenter ants and termites, but there are also distinct differences. The biggest difference is their eating habits. Termites actually feed off of wood. This means that as long as they are in your home, they are eating away at the structure. Carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood they live in, rather they build nests in it. They hollow out structures building their nests larger and larger, but they don’t cause damage near as quickly as termites do. This means that you can hopefully have a little more time to catch the problem before you are faced with severe damage.

Signs of Carpenter Ant Infestations

While these pests can live for quite some time before they are detected, there are several subtle signs that are often present with carpenter ant infestations. The following are some of them.
– Sawdust: You may notice small piles of sawdust near baseboards, door jambs, and window sills.
– Noises: As the carpenter ants work to build their nests, you may hear rustling noises behind your walls.
– Ants: The biggest sign of a carpenter ant infestation is the presence of ants themselves. You may notice that they sneak behind your baseboards. You may also notice that they start to shed their wings in these areas as well.

Carpenter Ant Prevention

The best way to prevent carpenter ant damage is to not allow them to make their way into your house in the first place. The following are some tips that will help you prevent a carpenter ant problem before it starts.
– Store firewood away from your home.
– Fix any water leaks as soon as you notice them and before they cause water damage and attract carpenter ants.
– Seal cracks in the foundation with caulking.
– Store food properly to eliminate their food source as well as clean crumbs and other attractants from your home as often as possible.

Carpenter Ant Pest Control

If you have noticed any signs at all of a carpenter ant infestation, you need to call on the professionals at Rentokil as soon as possible. You don’t want to leave carpenter ants in your home to continue to cause damage. We have the experience and training to successfully locate the nest and get rid of any carpenter ant infestation you may have. Call us today!