You’ve probably seen them scurrying around your home – red or black ants that are about half an inch long and known as carpenter ants. These tiny pests can be a real nuisance, especially when they swarm in large numbers.
You may have heard that carpenter ants aren’t as big of a threat as termites, and to some extent, this is true. But that doesn’t mean that these little critters can’t cause significant damage to your home or property.
In fact, carpenter ants are among the top causes of structural damage in homes and buildings across North America.
So what exactly do carpenter ants do? Read on for some common ways these six-legged creatures can wreak havoc in your home and property:
The Deal With Carpenter Ants and Wood
We’ll get to the different ways carpenter ants can damage your home in just a moment, but first, it’s important to understand the complicated relationship these insects have with wood.
It’s a common misconception that carpenter ants eat wood. However, that’s the job of termites, so carpenter ants don’t actually eat the wood they excavate. Instead, they burrow into the wood to make their nests or to create tunnel systems.
The main food source for carpenter ants is honeydew – a sweet substance produced by aphids and other insects.
Often, carpenter ants attack soft, moist woods like those found in your home or landscaping. This can include things like rotting boards, damaged framing, wood mulch piles, and even recently-cut trees or branches.
Carpenter ants also like to burrow in areas with a lot of termites, so if these pests are active in your home, carpenter ants could be attracted as well.
Ways These Pests Can Cause Major Damage
As we mentioned earlier, carpenter ants can cause serious damage to the structural integrity of your home.
Here are some of the most common ways they do this:
Structural Weakening
Having a sturdy and well-built home is important for both your safety and the value of your property. After all, a house that is in good condition will attract more potential buyers and fetch a much higher price.
Unfortunately, carpenter ants can cause significant weakening of the wood in your home. As they bore through the wood to build their nests or create tunnels, this damage slowly accumulates until a large section of your property eventually becomes structurally unstable.
From sagging floors to buckling walls, carpenter ants can wreak havoc on a property if left unchecked.
Tension Damage
One of the most common problems caused by carpenter ants is tension damage. This type of damage happens when wood fibers in a piece of property are forced to move in different directions.
For example, imagine a door or window frame that is damaged by carpenter ants. When the wood fibers are pushed and pulled in this way, it will lead to sloping and unevenness, which can make opening the door or window difficult – if not impossible.
Tension damage can also cause sagging floors, which is more dangerous than you might think. If floorboards are severely damaged by carpenter ants and become uneven, this could lead to injuries from tripping or falling.
Flaking and Splitting
Carpenter ants can also cause damage by flaking and splitting paint or varnish from the surface of wood.
When ants chew on a piece of wood, it causes the outer layers to become brittle and crack easily. This is extremely problematic for houses that use natural cedar wood for the exterior finish. Once the protective layer of paint has been stripped away, the wood will quickly begin to deteriorate – sometimes in a matter of just years.
Eventual Extensive Damage
As the damage caused by carpenter ants continues to accumulate, it may eventually lead to extensive and irreversible damage. In many cases, this can be a total loss scenario – meaning you’ll have to pay for repairs or even tear down the entire building.
For homeowners and business owners, carpenter ants are one of the most destructive pests. They can cause significant damage to your home or property if left untreated, so it’s important to take action as soon as you notice a problem.
How to Identify the Problem & Prevent Further Damage
There are a few ways you can identify carpenter ant infestations and prevent further damage to your property.
Here are some tips on how to spot these pests and take action right away:
Look for the Signs
One of the easiest ways to spot a carpenter ant infestation is by looking for signs of wood damage. Some common signs include:
- Chewed pieces of wood, including floors and walls
- Wood shavings or sawdust that are left behind after the ants chew through your property
- Small holes in the exterior siding of your home
Monitor the Problem Areas
Another way to quickly identify a carpenter ant infestation is by monitoring problem areas on your property. For example, you might want to keep an eye on places like:
- Wood piles and other sources of food for ants
- Trees or bushes that are close to the exterior walls of your home
- Your crawlspace or attic – areas that are particularly prone to moisture buildup
If you notice anything unusual in any of these areas, it might be a sign that you have an infestation. Carpenter ants can cause serious damage to your property if left untreated, so it’s essential to take action as soon as possible.
Contact a Professional Pest Control Company
The best way to eliminate carpenter ants and prevent further damage to your property is by seeking professional help. A pest control company will know how to identify a carpenter ant infestation and develop an effective treatment plan to eliminate these pests for good.
So if you suspect that carpenter ants are wreaking havoc on your home, don’t hesitate to reach out for help right away. With the right pest control plan in place, you can rest easy knowing that your property is safe from these destructive invaders.
Wrapping Up
Carpenter ants may not be as much of a household pest as other types of ants, but they can still cause serious damage to your property if left untreated.
To prevent further damage from these pests and keep your home safe, it’s important to be on the lookout for signs of an infestation and seek professional help right away. With the right action plan in place, you can eliminate carpenter ants and keep your home damage-free for years to come.