How To Tell If You’re Attracting Carpenter Ants To Your Home

Well, it is that time of year again; it is carpenter ant season here in Franklin Lakes, Allendale, and throughout Bergen County as well as all of New Jersey. Now is the time when these ants spread, and the last thing you need is to have them spread their way into your yard and into your home.

One way to stop the spread of carpenter ants is to learn as much as you can about how to identify flying carpenter ants when you see them. Our experts offer helpful tips in identifying flying ants from swarming termites. We also recommend that you read about the common problems with carpenter ants; this will give you the motivation to do what is necessary to protect your home from these destructive pests. Today, we're going to share professional tips with you to help with detecting these sneaky insects.

When a pest professional inspects your yard for carpenter ants, they don't only look for the presence of ants; if they did, they would be disappointed by the results most of the time. Carpenter ants are mostly nocturnal, and they prefer dark places, so a pest professional will look for conditions that are conducive for carpenter ant habitation. You might call these places carpenter ant attractants.

Here are a few examples:

• If a technician notices an old fence that has vegetation growing up at the bottom, that is a red flag. Vegetation can hold moisture and allow the wood of a fence to become soft; this causes wood decay and makes the wood inviting to carpenter ants. A closer inspection of this conducive location can reveal carpenter ant activity.
• If a technician sees split wood on a deck or a deck that is not painted or stained, it will prompt a closer examination underneath. Carpenter ants will climb up the underside of a deck and chew their way into wood timbers.
• If a technician sees leaves, sticks, and other organic debris that has been raked under a deck, porch, or patio, it will prompt a closer look. Carpenter ants are highly attracted to organic debris.
• If a technician notices damp ground caused by a broken or obstructed gutter system, it is cause for a detailed inspection of the sills and other wood timbers in that location. If you find that damage is being done to your sills, take a moment to read Comparing Carpenter Ant and Termite Damage.

This is the beginning of carpenter ant season. Don't let your property be destroyed by these wood-chewing ants; our experts will help you figure out which pest problems you're dealing within your New Jersey yard. To schedule a free inspection, contact Arrow Pest Control today!