During spring, carpenter ants will begin to wake up from diapause (hibernation) and make their way into homes where they will develop “satellite colonies”. These colonies are commonly found in wall-voids, crawl spaces, and attics, where the ants will excavate wooden materials to create space for their nests. When this happens, homeowners will commonly see carpenter ants moving to and from the “parent colony” in trails. The parent colony will typically be located within a few hundred meters from the home, often inside of a tree or a stump, and will keep constant contact with the satellite colony inside the house.
If carpenter ants are left untreated, they can cause considerable damage to the home over time. It is best to initiate a treatment plan as soon as the ants are discovered in the structure. As basic as this may sound, the first step in developing a treatment plan will be to positively identify that the insects you are dealing with are in fact carpenter ants. The biology of each insect makes effective treatment something that cannot be accomplished with a “one size fits all” approach.
It is also important to note that winged reproductive carpenter ants are common to see in and around structures during the spring. Finding these winged ants inside or around your home does not necessarily mean that you have a carpenter ant infestation, as these ants will commonly appear in locations where there is not an active colony. But when the reproductive ants are found, it is best to have a licensed professional assess the home to determine if a treatment for carpenter ants needs to be performed.
We’re here to help! Our inspectors and technicians have years of experience applying the methods of integrated pest management to effectively treat and prevent carpenter ant infestations. Please feel free to give us a call at (360) 443-5813 or email us at info@venablespest.com to schedule an appointment.