Have carpenter ants made their way into your home? Act fast before they cause serious
damage to your property, especially if they’ve already built a nest inside the walls. Learn
more about this type of infestation and get some tips to tackle the problem.
What are the signs of infestation?
How do you know if carpenter ants have taken refuge in your walls? Watch out for visual
signs of their presence. They’re quite hardy and can be seen crawling along window
edges and across ceilings. They also lurk near wooden structures, where they love to
dig their tunnels.
You may spot holes or tunnels in the wooden structures of your home and actually hear
them when they start to scratch. Another thing to check before buying a property!
What damages are caused by carpenter ants?
Have you spotted signs of a carpenter ant infestation? Their presence in your home can
cause serious damage.
• They burrow holes and tunnels in the wood and build their nests which can
weaken your home’s structure.
• Similarly, this can also damage insulation leading to higher electric bills.
• Sometimes, they chew through electrical wires, causing short circuits that can
lead to a fire.
It’s therefore imperative to take action to get rid of them. Structural and aesthetic
repercussions could have an adverse effect on the value of your home.
Eradicate carpenter ants in 6 steps:
Did this convince you? In concrete terms, here’s what you must do to fix the problem.
1. Identify the ants
Look for the carpenter ants to make sure they are indeed present. They’re black and
vary in size from 6 to 25 mm. Listen closely: You’ll be able to hear them during the night!
Chances are you’ll notice a bit of sawdust around that will lead you to their habitat.
2. Locate the nest
Finding the nest is the key to fixing a major part of the ant problem. Be on the lookout for
damp areas, firewood and rotting wood. They may also take up residence in trees
surrounding your house. If you can’t spot any, entice them with products made from
natural ingredients—sugar (with or without borax), honey, maple syrup or sweet jelly.
3. Scare them off
It’s time to say farewell! Chase them away with incense, essential oils, repellent plants or insecticides, such as ant gel. Follow all instructions carefully. Go to a hardware store or superstore and choose a product with low environmental impact. If you’re uncomfortable dealing with the problem on your own, you’ll need to call a professional exterminator to take care of it for you.
4. Apply the product
Apply the selected product where ants enter and exit. To prevent the use of products
that are harmful to the ecosystem, try removing them with a vacuum cleaner. Seal the
bag containing the carpenter ants hermetically and dispose of them.
5. Make sure they don’t come back!
Over the next few days, ensure no sugar is left out for the future queen and her gang to
see. Control humidity levels—air out your house, seal cracks and openings, transfer and
store food in airtight jars and containers, and take out the garbage frequently.
6. Clean your house
Always ensure that your kitchen is clean and your property well-maintained. Keep countertops free of grains and crumbs, so you don’t offer them another feast...and a reason to come back!
Don’t hesitate to tag @espaceproprio on social media to share the results of your work with us.
