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January 18, 2022Ants

What You Need to Know About Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants get their name after nest-building habits. They dig tunnels inside the wood of your home to nest, which can weaken and even damage the wood of your home. So, as a homeowner, what do you need to know about carpenter ants to keep them away? 

Carpenter Ant Identification 

If you’re afraid you might have an ant infestation but are unsure about what kind, here are a few things to look out for: 

• Color: Carpenter ants are usually a combination of red and black  
• Size: These critters are on the larger side when it comes to ants. In fact, they can range from ½” to ⅝”. 
• Region: Carpenter ants thrive in the eastern U.S. and are abundant in Georgia. 

Signs of a Carpenter Ant Infestation 

Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat the wood; they simply chew through it to build tunnels and nests. Other than physically seeing these critters in your home, you can know that you may have an infestation if you see signs of holes or small openings in wooden surfaces throughout your home. 

How to Prevent Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants, like most critters, are attracted to moisture and need water sources for survival. A few preventative measures that you can take to avoid carpenter ants are to eliminate all water sources, close up all cracks and crevices in your home, and keep wood and tree branches away from the entries of your home. For more tips and tricks on how to keep ants out of your home and kitchen, click here. 

If you are afraid that you have an infestation? Reach out to our Bug Guys. We would be happy to help you get to the root of your problem!