Carpenter ants can be a homeowner’s nightmare, causing extensive damage to your home’s structure if left unchecked. But fear not! We have some essential tips and tricks to help you keep these pesky invaders at bay.
In this blog post, we’ll walk you through identifying carpenter ants, removing factors that attract them, maintaining your gutters to prevent infestations, and when to seek professional help.
Identifying Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are typically larger than other ant species, measuring between a quarter to a half-inch in length. They can be black, red or a combination of both colors. Unlike termites, which eat wood, carpenter ants create tunnels in wood to build their nests. One of the key signs of a carpenter ant infestation is small piles of wood shavings or sawdust near wooden structures.
Removing Attractants for Carpenter Ants
In order to keep carpenter ants away from your home, it is essential to address the factors that attract them in the first place.
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Eliminating Sources of Moisture. Carpenter ants are drawn to moist environments. Repairing any leaks in your home, such as those found around pipes or windows, can help keep these pests at bay. Gutter maintenance is also imperative to minimize moisture buildup on your home exteriors.
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Removing Sources of Food. Carpenter ants have a diverse diet, so keeping your kitchen clean is vital. Make sure to seal all food containers, clean up spills and crumbs promptly, and avoid leaving dirty dishes in the sink overnight.
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Discouraging Nesting Sites. Removing wood rot from your yard can help deter carpenter ants from nesting nearby. Sealing any cracks or crevices in your home’s exterior can also prevent these pests from entering and finding a suitable nesting site inside your home.
Gutter Maintenance to Keep Carpenter Ants at Bay
There’s more to gutter maintenance than just preventing water damage; it can also help keep carpenter ants from thriving in and around your home. Gutter cleaning certainly helps, but if you want an alternative solution to minimizing clogs, consider investing in Gutter Helmet systems. With their patented nose-forward design and textured ribbed surface, water runoff can flow directly into the gutters via surface tension, leaving behind dead leaves and other debris.
Dealing With Carpenter Ant Infestations
If you’ve taken all the necessary precautions and still find yourself dealing with a carpenter ant infestation, it may be time to seek the help of experts. Pest control professionals can assess the extent of the problem and provide targeted treatment options to eradicate these pests and prevent future infestations.
With Gutter Helmet, you no longer have to clean your gutters — and deal with potential issues brought about by pests like carpenter ants. To learn more about Gutter Helmet cost or if you have other questions about this exceptional product, give us a call at (800) 824-3772, or fill out our online form.