Carpenter Ants In Atlanta: A Helpful Guide To Identification And Control

Everybody hates to see ants in their home. But carpenter ants can bring up new levels of dread for many homeowners. Carpenter ants are not your typical nuisance bug. These tiny creatures can be both destructive and dangerous to have around your home. 

At Squash A Bug Pest Control, we are committed to keeping your home and your family safe from these invasive insects. Our highly-trained Atlanta pest control technicians use a multi-step plan to identify and eliminate the ants in your home. Here is a look at everything you need to know about effective carpenter ant control in Georgia. 

How To Identify A Carpenter Ant

Carpenter ants are some of the largest types of ants that Atlanta residents find in their homes. They usually measure over half an inch long and have dark-brown or black and red bodies. 

Because carpenter ants are large and are typically found around wood, they are commonly mistaken for termites. But if you look closely, you can see that physically, carpenter ants and termites have a few distinct differences. For instance, a carpenter ant's body is separated into three different segments. The area between the ant's abdomen and thorax is particularly narrow. Termites, however, usually have straight bodies that do not feature this narrow "waist." Additionally, carpenter ants have curved antennae, while termite antennae are straight. 

A Carpenter Ant Infestation Can Cause Many Problems

Carpenter ants are known as one of the most destructive species of ants. They live in large groups and choose to build their nest in a place that will keep their members as safe as possible. This usually means that their nests are located somewhere inside a wooden structure. 

The worker carpenter ants don't eat the wood, but their strong jaws allow them to easily excavate it so that they can build an elaborate tunnel system within. While their damage isn't usually as severe as the damage that is caused by a termite, these nests do cause significant structural damage over time. 

Effective Carpenter Ant Prevention Tips

Carpenter ants are attracted to moist areas that have old and wet wood. If your home has a moisture problem, you could be attracting these insects to your home without realizing it. Luckily, there are a few things that you can do to help prevent carpenter ants from causing damage to your home. Some of the preventive steps that you can take include:

• Keep bushes, brush, and tree branches cut back away from your home.
• Remove any old, wet, or rotten wood from your yard.
• Keep stored food in airtight containers.
• Seal off any cracks or gaps that you may have around your home.
• Make sure that the crawl spaces and other areas of your home are well-ventilated.

Having excessive moisture in your home is the most common way to attract carpenter ants. To keep these bugs out of your home, you should regularly inspect the interior and exterior areas of your house to ensure that there are no leaking pipes or faucets. If you do find any, make sure to repair any of the wet or damaged wood around the leak as soon as possible. 

The Most Effective Carpenter Ant Control In Atlanta

Carpenter ants can be hard to get rid of. If you are struggling with a carpenter ant problem in your Atlanta home, give us a call today. At Squash A Bug Pest Control, we specialize in providing customized, eco-friendly pest control solutions. Give us a call today to get your free estimate!