"The technician Julius was very knowledgeable. He was very professional when he came in. He introduced himself, he said which company he was from, he walked me through everything he was going to do. Told me everything about the whole process of exterminating the house and he took in a couple of spiders for testing. So I felt comfortable with him being in my home with me being alone and also he was just very professional and very knowledgeable of his job."
Carpenter Ants
What are carpenter ants?
Carpenter ants are social insects that are among the largest species of ant found throughout Maryland and much of the United States. These ants have strong mandibles, which are used to excavate wood for the purpose of nesting. The first indication that you may have a carpenter ant problem is by spotting large, black ants in or around your home. In many cases, you may only see a handful of ants over several days. Another sign of carpenter ant activity is the small piles of sawdust they leave behind as they tunnel their way through wood. This debris, known as “frass”, will collect beneath the site of the nest and oftentimes will include bits of dead insects. Carpenter ants are generally black, red or brown or a combination of red and black. The workers in a colony can range from 1/8th of an inch to ½ of an inch in length with the queen reaching nearly 1 inch in length.
Why do I have them?
Although carpenter ant colonies occur naturally outdoors in trees, they will infest wood in homes and other structures that has been previously damaged by water. If you discover large, black ants inside your home they are likely to be part of a nearby satellite colony. Once inside, carpenter ants will forage for food debris and water inside kitchens and bathrooms. Carpenter ants, like most species of ants, can gain access to your home through eaves, door frames, window frames and around plumbing and utility lines.
Are they dangerous?
Carpenter ants are not typically thought of as dangerous and generally do not bite; the real concern with an infestation of carpenter ants is with their ability to damage and weaken the structural integrity of your home.
How do I get rid of carpenter ants?
Getting rid of carpenter ants can be particularly difficult because they tend to have an intricate network of many nests that are all interlinked. If just one nest is missed in the treatment process, then these pests can rebound and reform, which is why it is important to contact the pest professionals at American Pest. For the best results, we recommend our Preferred Care home pest control services to get rid of carpenter ants as well as other common household invaders with regular treatment visits. This bi-monthly pest control service is effective in preventing carpenter ant infestations and is backed by our Pest Free Pledge. If pests return between scheduled visits, American Pest returns at no additional charge.
Can I do it myself?
Do-it-yourself methods that kill carpenter ants are not often effective as many over-the-counter pesticide products are not an acceptable means to control carpenter ant colonies. American Pest professionals are trained to seek out foraging carpenter ant trails around your property, in an effort to locate and eradicate the entire colony. Oftentimes, this may eliminate the need to use chemical treatments on the interior of your home.
How soon can you get here?
At American Pest, we take great pride in our ability to arrive the same or very next day.
Is the treatment safe?
We put the health and safety of you and your family first: Every product used by American Pest has been EPA registered for pest control use. We then follow a strict set of guidelines in every application of product to ensure that no harm will come to your family or pets.
How can I prevent this in the future?
Preventing carpenter ants from entering your property can be extremely difficult. American Pest professionals will consult with you to provide a customizable, effective solution to your carpenter ant problem using our S.T.A.R. system of Integrated Pest Management (IPM).
