There are thousands of ant species across the world. Though they might be small, ants have a huge impact on the environment, including right here in Centerton, AR. Ants might not look dangerous, and in truth, most ant species are harmless. But, if there are one ant species that Arkansas residents should worry about, it’s the carpenter ant.
Centerton property owners should be skeptical of any ant that’s crawling around the house, but if it turns out that carpenter ants are roaming about, these pests require immediate attention. Let’s discuss how to identify these pests, and what Centerton residents can do about them.
Carpenter Ant Identification Tips
Carpenter ants share many of the same characteristics that most ants have in common. These ants have segmented bodies with a head, a thorax (midsection), and an enlarged abdomen (end section). Six legs grow from the thorax, two short antennae sit on top of the head, and if you look close enough, you can also see pincers near the mouth.
There are a few things that make carpenter ants distinct from other ant species. First, carpenter ants generally have a dark brown head and abdomen, but a lighter red thorax. Second, carpenter ants are relatively large ants, growing over ¼ of an inch in length. Finally, carpenter ants have body-length wings. Spotting flying ants is a surefire sign that you have carpenters.
Why Carpenter Ants Are Bad For Centerton Properties
As their name implies, carpenter ants love wood. These hungry insects tunnel and build colonies in wood that is soft or decaying, developing nests that can span throughout a building’s foundation. Over time, carpenter ants weaken the structure of your home or business, resulting in costly property damages.
If that isn’t bad enough, carpenter ants might also feed on whatever food you have in your house. Whether they feed on scraps in your trash can or the food in your pantry, this foraging can spread diseases and make their presence in your house a nightmare. Carpenter ants cause big problems in Centerton properties. From contaminating your food to weakening your property, a prolonged infestation has serious consequences.
Carpenter Ant Prevention Tips
How can you keep carpenter ants out of your Centerton property? There are a few things that draw these damaging pests towards your home or business, so getting rid of these attractions makes it much harder for carpenter ants to find you. Consider the following:
- Moisture control. Moisture makes wood weak and soft, which is perfect for carpenter ants to build their colonies in. By clearing standing water around your property, repairing leaks, and replacing damaged wood in areas like your attic or crawl space, carpenter ants will have a harder time building a colony.
- Keep woodpiles away from your home. The closer a pile of wood is to your house, the easier it is for carpenter ants to move from one wood source to the next.
- Seal cracks and gaps around the house. Carpenter ants build their nests from the inside out, but by updating your caulking and closing any entry points, you can prevent an infestation from getting in.
- Trim foliage around the yard. Overgrown bushes, hedges, and large leaf piles can provide ample food for ants, drawing them closer to your property.
- Lock up your food and trash. The less there is to feed carpenter ants, the less likely they will settle in your property.
If carpenter ants have found a way into your property, don’t take matters into your own hands. Trying to get rid of an infestation will only result in more house damage, as the only way to clear an infestation is to kick the carpenter ants out and prevent the queen from hatching new eggs. When carpenter ants get in, call Centerton’s pest professionals at Alder Pest Control, and we’ll get carpenter ants out of your property for good.
