Don't Let Carpenter Ants Ruin Your Austin Home

There are many different ants in Austin that can cause many problems in your home. Some, such as Pharoah ants, can spread diseases, while others, like fire ants, can sting. Then, there are the ants in Austin that are pretty destructive. The worst of these is the carpenter ant. They can cause a wide range of damage to different wooden items around your property as they tunnel through wood. This makes them somewhat different than termites as they don’t eat the wood, but they can still destroy many things. Find out more about carpenter ants and get ant control tips in this guide.

Signs Of Carpenter Ants

Each carpenter ant nest can have about 20-50 thousand individuals. They create their nests by tunneling and excavating through the wood. Because of this, it can be challenging to identify carpenter ants. They tunnel through the wood, so you likely won’t be able to see them unless the infestation grows. You might see them leaving the nest to reproduce at this stage, but there are other ways to identify carpenter ants.

The other signs of carpenter ants you can look out for are small shavings of wood being pushed out of tiny holes. These shavings often look like fine sawdust. Other signs include rustling noises coming from the inside of walls or finding that doors and windows fit more tightly in their frames.

The Extent Of Damage Carpenter Ants Can Do To Your Property

Over time, carpenter ant infestations can grow quite large. With so many individuals, they can do a good deal of damage. While each ant can’t excavate much wood, they all work together and, over time, cause real problems, even though they generally aren't quite as destructive as termites.

Carpenter ants are more likely to ruin wooden items or structures with fungus or water damage. They prefer softer varieties of wood or even wood that has started to rot. They often destroy the wood of sheds, decks, porches, and outbuildings, but they can also get into homes.

How To Completely Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants

If you fear you could have a carpenter ant infestation around your home, the best way to remove them is with assistance from EnviroGuard. Our ant control professionals know how to deal with this invasive and destructive species. We know that they are difficult to remove on your own as they live inside of wood and lumber, but we have the experience and treatments needed to target and eradicate them. Our residential pest control plans can address carpenter ants and other ant problems.

How To Keep Carpenter Ants From Coming Back

Along with assistance from the pest control experts at EnviroGuard, you can also take a few steps to prevent these ants on your own. Some of the best ways to deter ants include:

• Eliminating water-damaged or rotting wood from your property.

• Treating wooden structures outside of the home, such as decks and porches, with stains or paint.

• Keeping kitchens clean and wiping up food and drink spills as carpenter ants will be attracted to these food sources.

• Removing excess humidity by fixing leaky plumbing and removing standing water from the yard. 

Find out more about how to protect your home from carpenter ants by calling EnviroGuard today.