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What are carpenter ants?

Carpenter ants, like many insects, are social and live in large colonies. They measure ¼-½  inch inch long1 and tend to be black or red, or a combination of these two colors. Carpenter ants are also known as flying ants or winged ants. These ant colonies live both outdoors and indoors in moist, decaying or hollow wood. If they find your home as a suitable place to make a nest, they will bore holes into water damaged wood and then gnaw away the wood to make room for more members of the colony.

How do I know if I have carpenter ants?

If you see (or hear) the following signs, your home might be experiencing carpenter ant damage:

• • Wood that sounds hollow if tapped upon

• • The sound of faint rustling within in the walls, which means the ants are boring into the wood

• • The presence of wood with wide, irregular ridges that are usually smooth-surfaced and free of debris

• • Shed wings of carpenter ants near window sills, baseboards, and vents

• • Trails of sawdust, a sign that carpenter ants have bored holes into the wood

• Wood shavings near infested areas, which provide clues to nesting locations

These tips should help you determine whether or not you have an infestation of carpenter ants inside your home. Rest assured, carpenter ants are not harmful or a health hazard to humans, only the wood in the structure of your home.

How can I avoid a carpenter ant infestation?

• • Do not store firewood against an outside wall of your home, as it is an invitation for pests. Store it as far away from your home as possible, preferably elevated on a firewood rack

• • Cut down tree branches or limbs that either touch or hang over your home.

• Seal holes or crevices in your home, specifically around window sills, baseboards, and vents

Carpenter ants can be difficult to evict from your home, and an infestation should not be taken lightly. If you’ve seen signs of these pests, your next step is to call Rid All Termite & Pest Solutions at 901.377.9915. We specialize in the diagnosis and removal of carpenter ant infestations in Olive Branch, Mississippi and surrounding areas.