Pests We Treat Photo Album: Carpenter ants swarm in Long Branch, NJ home
Finding the source of Carpenter Ants
During my inspection, I observed a beam that went across the ceiling in the bedroom. I had a strong suspicion that the ants were coming into the bedroom from the attic above. Sure enough, when inspecting the attic, I saw numerous dead ants. I started the ant treatment in the attic. Attic insulation is a favorite nesting spot for ants, and I pulled back the insulation and applied liquid and aerosol applications underneath. I also thoroughly treated the roofing trusses. Next, I moved to the bedroom. Using a ladder to reach the ceiling, I treated the ceiling void around the beam. Finally, I finished treatment outside of the home by treating the soffits up by the roofing beam. Vented soffits are a common entry point for insects to gain access into the attic. For ant infestations, we always set up a two-week follow-up to reinspect and apply additional treatments as necessary. Ant infestations do not resolve immediately. It can take a good two weeks for the treatment to take full effect and for the colony to be destroyed.
Carpenter ant nest in attic.
Usually, we find ants invading our homes during the warm summer months when these insects are most active, and the workers are foraging for food. However, as this homeowner found out, ant infestations can happen any time of year. If you see ants during the colder temperature months, your home probably has an ant nest in its wall or ceiling voids. It would be extremely rare for ants to forage in from the outside during the cold months.
Soffits can be an entry point.
Finally, I finished treatment outside of the home by treating the soffits up by the roofing beam. Vented soffits are a common entry point for insects to gain access into the attic. For ant infestations, we always set up a two-week follow-up to reinspect and apply additional treatments as necessary. Ant infestations do not resolve immediately. It can take a good two weeks for the treatment to take full effect and for the colony to be destroyed.