Insects have been around for over 400 million years. Given that, it’s not surprising to know that there are nearly 900,000 species.
The good news is that most of them are harmless; only a small percentage are considered to be pests. Take mosquitos, for example, they can spread various diseases such as malaria and dengue.
Other insects, such as carpenter ants, are pests in that they can cause serious damage to buildings.
Do you have an infestation in the house? Want to know how to get rid of black carpenter ants?
If so, be sure to read the rest of the post because that’s what we’ll be talking about below!
What Are Black Carpenter Ants?
Black carpenter ants are one of the most common types of ants found in the United States. Size-wise, they can be anywhere from 1/2” to 5/8” long.
While they typically live outdoors, they can gain access to homes when looking for food sources. For example, they can enter through roofs or basements.
Once they’re inside, they can establish nests in attics, crawlspaces, and wall voids. Ultimately, it’s this nest-building behavior that can damage the building.
Signs That You Have a Carpenter Ant Infestation
Here are a few signs that you may have carpenter ants in the house:
- Soft rustling sounds within the wall
- Shed wings laying around baseboards, window sills, and vents
- Piles of wood shavings beneath wooden areas
- Winged ants crawling out from walls, ceilings, and other hidden crevices
How to Get Rid of Black Carpenter Ants
Fortunately, it is possible to get rid of these pests. Here’s a breakdown of what you want to do.
Find Out Where They’re Coming From
First things first, you want to find out where they’re coming from. For example, they might be entering the house through cracks or drains in the floor.
Consider trimming any trees around the house as they may be using them to enter the house.
Use Ant Traps
Ant traps work by luring the ants with a bait that contains a slow-acting poison. That way, they’ll bring the bait back inside their colony.
For the best results, place it as close as possible to their entry points.
Call In the Pros
Depending on the size of the infestation, you might not be able to deal with it yourself. In cases like that, you’ll want to call in the professionals—they’ll have the necessary tools to deal with the problem.
Getting Rid of Black Carpenter Ants
And there you have it—a short guide on how to get rid of black carpenter ants. Remember, the sooner you identify the problem, the easier it’ll be to fix. The last thing that you want is to wait until there’s extensive damage to your house!
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