Rotten Tree Stump Harboring Carpenter Ants in Manasquan, NJ
Challenge
As we servicing this home in Manasquan, NJ, we noticed an old, moldy stump in the backyard. Since subterranean termites prefer soft, rotten wood, we decided to examine the stump. When we inspected we didn't find any signs of termites, but we DID find a rather large infestation of another wood-destroying pest — carpenter ants! We immediately told the homeowner and inspected the interior of the home from top to bottom to find any signs of carpenter ants. Fortunately, there were none!
Carpenter ants are often found in trees or tree stumps, rotting wood, firewood piles, fence posts, or other wood, particularly if it is untreated. Carpenter ants are attracted to wet wood since it is easy to excavate. A common source of an indoor carpenter ant infestation is wood or trees outside. Worker carpenter ants will forage indoors in search of moisture and food source.
Solution
We treated the base of the stump, the entire exterior perimeter, and all the window sills of the home with a liquid non-repellant. Once we finished, we applied a granular bait to the stump as well as the bases of the trees located on the property.
The carpenter ants are coming to come in contact with either of these products and return to their nest to share them with each other and their queen by feeding or grooming one another. By doing this, they are unknowingly spreading the treatments throughout their entire colony, which results in the complete extermination of the carpenter ant colony.
