Carpenter ants are destructive little insects that are incredibly difficult to remove or eliminate. The ants build satellite colonies throughout a structure that typically requires a professional carpenter ant treatment to eliminate or defend against. Protecting your property is about understanding carpenter ants’ behaviour and knowing how to deter them.

4 Ways To Protect Against Carpenter Ants

Learning how to get rid of carpenter ants is about focusing on the things that motivate the ants to invade. Like all living things, insects need access to food, water, and shelter. For most ant species, the colony is the only thing that matters. The insects work together to build and develop sometimes massive interweaving structures so they can thrive.

Don’t let your home become the foundation for a colony. If you want to keep carpenter ants away from and out of your property, there are several things you can focus on.

1. Keep Eating Areas Clean and Clutter-Free

Like all living things, carpenter ants need food to survive. Ants can make a meal of almost anything and don’t require much to remain healthy and happy. Crumbs around a dining table or easy access to trash provide plenty of potential nourishment for an ant and its colony.

To deter infestations, keep your living and eating areas clean and clutter-free. Vacuum or sweep after every meal. Wipe down counters and tabletops, and ensure all dishes are washed and put away. Also, store the trash in a sealed garbage can and remove the bag daily.

Finally, ants will use clutter to move safely through a space. Keep counters and floors free of any debris. You want to eliminate safe passageways and make it hard for any ant to go unnoticed.

2. Seal Holes and Cracks

Don’t let ants and other insects take advantage of your property. Seal all holes, cracks, and other potential entry points to ensure bugs stay outside where they belong.

While some holes or cracks are apparent, it is often challenging for homeowners to spot every conceivable opening. A pest control professional knows what to look for and how to spot potential signs of carpenter ants. Hiring a professional to scope out your property and treat it is the best defence against the insects.

3. Replace or Repair Damaged or Moist Wood

Carpenter ants do not eat wood; they burrow through it. While it is not outside the realm of possibility for the insects to burrow into dry wood, they prefer moist and damaged beams and logs. The damp wood is softer and easier to chew through.

To prevent a carpenter ant infestation, always inspect any exposed wood around your home. Look under decks and around porches and doorways to find soft patches. Repair or replace any affected boards you find. Carpenter ants can use these compromised pieces to access your house or other structures.

4. Trim Branches and Bushes Away From the House

Lawn or property maintenance is also essential to pest control. Carpenter ants may use overgrown trees and bushes as a bridge to access the roof of your house or other structures. To prevent access, keep tree branches trimmed and bush well-manicured. If possible, do not plant anything near the foundation of your home.

Carpenter Ant Control Near Me

Carpenter ants can cause problems when they infest your home, including potential structural damage. When colonies spread, they are hard to eliminate or control. If you have a carpenter ant infestation, contact Truly Nolen Canada to discuss pest control options and treatments. The company will send a qualified technician to assess the damage and provide details for treatment options.