What are the signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation?

1) The presence of foragers

Carpenter ants venture outside their nests in search of food, typically favoring aphid honeydew and other insects found in wooded areas. However, they possess an omnivorous appetite, consuming various animal and plant-based foods. Once established indoors, they have easy access to a plethora of food sources within the home, including sweets like syrup, honey, and fruit, as well as meats, grease, and fats.

Pest control professionals utilize the food-sharing behavior of ants to eradicate colonies, especially when nests are inaccessible for direct removal. Baiting is a common method, involving the use of an attractive food source combined with a slow-acting toxicant. Foragers consume the bait and carry it back to the colony, effectively exterminating it. Pest control experts are equipped with the knowledge and tools for successful baiting techniques, increasing the likelihood of eliminating the nest effectively.

2). Extruded sawdust and wood damage

When boring through wood, carpenter ants leave behind a sawdust-like material (“frass”) near the ant nest site. It is a tell-tail sign of a carpenter ant infestation. Carpenter ant damage is different from termite damage. The ant tunnels across the wood’s grain whereas termite tunnels follow the wood’s grain. Ant tunnels are clean; termite tunnels are covered with mud. Piles of dust are often seen near the ant nest site.

3) Rustling noises in the walls or ceiling

In a large colony with thousands of individual ants, the ants produce a distinctive crackling sound. If the colony is large enough to produce audible sounds, it is a large, mature colony.

4) Foraging trails

Ants utilize antennal touch and chemical signals to communicate with each other, establishing foraging trails between their nests and food sources. These trails become habitual routes, with ants releasing pheromones along the way to create scent trails for their counterparts to follow. The potency of these pheromones is remarkable, with just one gram of ant pheromone estimated to be sufficient for encircling the Earth with a trail. Understanding these communication methods is crucial for effective pest control strategies, as professionals can disrupt these trails to deter ants from infesting homes and properties.

If you have a carpenter ant infestation, contact Cowleys Pest Services. We are your local pest control professionals serving Toms River, Brick, Bridgewater, Piscataway, Old Bridge, Middletown, Princeton Junction, Trenton, East Brunswick, Monroe Township, Jackson, Marlboro and nearby New Jersey.

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