There is a couple of wood-destroying insects that pose a major threat to your Greater Austin, TX home: termites and carpenter ants. These two insects have lots of similarities as well as differences. The key to avoiding them in your home is awareness. If you know what you are looking for, you are more likely to catch the problem before it escalates. A-Tex Pest Management is here to talk about some ways that you can prevent carpenter ant infestations in your home.
Carpenter Ant Identification
Carpenter ants and termites are often confused for one another. This is because when they have wings, they look very similar. Carpenter ants however have some physical differences when compared to termites. First of all, they have a pinched waist while termites have a straight body. Also, carpenter ants and termites have two sets of wings. The difference is that carpenter ants have one set of wings that is larger than the other while termites have two sets of wings identical to one another. And lastly, carpenter ants have bent antennae while termites have straight. Carpenter ants are the largest ant species in the U.S. and their color varies between red, brown and black.
How to Tell if You Have Carpenter Ants
If you have a carpenter ant infestation, you will see small openings on the wood where they bore a hole and start to build their nest. They don’t actually eat the wood, but they hollow it out to build their nests. There are often sawdust looking shavings around these holes as they work to hollow out the wood. If you have any wood that has been damaged by water, this will be where they will likely try to build a nest.
Preventing a Carpenter Ant Infestation
There are several actions you can take to prevent carpenter ants from infesting your home. Following are some of the most helpful tips:
– Fix any leaking pipes or areas of your home that have experienced water damage; as this will be what attracts them the most.
– Trim any trees that are near your home. This gives them a way to make it to your house easily.
– Seal and cracks or other openings on your foundation. Pay particular attention to the areas where plumbing enters your home.
– Store firewood properly. It should be stored at least 20 feet away from your home. This a commonplace for carpenter ants to build their nests.
– Store food properly as they don’t actually eat your wooden structure, but will be looking for sugary, sweet foods outside their nest and in your home.
Carpenter Ant Pest Inspections, Removal & More in Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Cedar Park & Austin Texas
If you are struggling with a carpenter ant problem, it is important that you act quickly. If they are left to their devices, they can cause significant damage to your property. At A-Tex Pest Management, we provide you with a long list of comprehensive pest control services including carpenter ant control. We will help you get rid of the problem as soon as possible. Call us today!