There are thousands of ant species across the world, and though they might be small, ants have a huge impact on the environment – including right here in Jacksonville, Alabama. Most ants are harmless, but Alabama residents should worry about one ant in particular: the carpenter ant.
Jacksonville homeowners should be skeptical of any ant that’s crawling around the house, but if there are carpenter ants roaming about your Jacksonville home, these pests require immediate attention. Let’s identify these pests and what Jacksonville residents should do about them.
Carpenter Ant Identification Tips
Carpenter ants, like most ants, have segmented bodies with a head, a thorax (midsection), and an enlarged abdomen (rear end). Six legs grow from the thorax, two short antennae sit on top of the head, and two small pincers sit near the mouth There are a few things that make carpenter ants distinct from other ant species. First, carpenter ants have a dark brown head and abdomen, but a lighter red thorax. This is unusual because most ants have relatively uniform coloring. Second, carpenter ants are relatively large ants, growing over ¼ of an inch. Finally, carpenter ants have body-length wings. Large, flying ants in Jacksonville are definitely carpenter ants, so if these characteristics sound like your ant problem, you should know that your ant infestation is causing some serious damage to your home.
Why Carpenter Ants Are Bad For Jacksonville Properties
Carpenter ants love wood. These hungry insects tunnel and build colonies in wood that is soft or decaying, developing nests that span throughout a building’s foundation. Over time, carpenter ants weaken the structures of your home or business, resulting in costly property damages.
If that isn’t bad enough, carpenter ants 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, making a carpenter ant presence in your house a nightmare. Luckily, seeing one carpenter ant doesn’t necessarily mean you have others. Carpenter ants may stray from the colony, though you should still check for the signs of a carpenter ant colony if you see one. These signs include wood damage, discolorations along the walls, creaky floorboards, and scattered ant wings.
Although carpenter ants aren’t nearly as destructive as termites, their damages can increase and compound over time. Carpenter ants can make Jacksonville properties unsafe to live in by contaminating your food and weakening your property and a a prolonged infestation can yield serious consequences. Call the experts at Havard Pest Control for an inspection!
Carpenter Ant Prevention Tips
How do you keep carpenter ants out of your Jacksonville home? There are a few things that draw these damaging pests towards your property, and getting rid of these attractions will make 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. To prevent this, clear standing water around your property, repair any leaks, ventilate your home, and replace damaged wood.
- Maintain Wood Piles: Keep woodpiles away from your home. The closer a pile of wood is to your house, the easier it is for carpenter ants to find you.
- Seal Cracks And Gaps: By updating your caulking and closing any entry points, you can prevent an infestation from getting in.
- Trim Foliage: Overgrown bushes, hedges, and leaf piles can provide ample food for ants.
- Lock Up 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 Jacksonville, Alabama home, it’s too late to deal with them on your own. Trying to get rid of an infestation will only result in more house damage, as the only way to clear an infestation is to remove the colony entirely and prevent the queen from hatching new eggs. When carpenter ants get in, contact Jacksonville’s best pest professionals at Havard Pest Control and force them out. Don’t let carpenter ants damage your home or risk the spread of illness – call us today!