Effective Carpenter Ant Control Methods
Although carpenter ants do not spread diseases and they do not have stingers, you should get rid of them. In fact, you should prevent them from invading your house in the first place because they damage property, and they are a nuisance. The ants, often confused with termites, usually live on dead and damp wood where they build their nests. Effective control of these ants involves getting rid of them in their nests, ensuring they do not return when you get rid of them, and preventing an infestation in the first place.
You could keep the ants away and prevent an infestation by denying them food and water. Cover your food and store it in containers. You should particularly keep sugar, sweets, honey, fats, and meats away since these are their favorite foods. Dishes and the cooking stove should be washed daily. Clean up after every meal and following every spill. Clean up after your pet if you have any. You could also prevent an infestation by ensuring that there are no dead or rotting trees near your home. Firewood should be kept dry, preferably in elevated storage areas. Seal off any crevices and cracks on your walls to deny the ants entry to your home. When you destroy one nest, search for other nests because the ants often create ‘satellite’ nests.
The most effective way of getting rid of these pests is destroying their nest. You could do this by applying pesticide. Boric acid aerosol spray and dust are particularly effective in killing carpenter ants away. You could get rid of the ants by introducing predators. These ants are prey to such predators as humpback flies, parasitic wasps, some beetles, praying mantis, and the yellow-shifted flicker. Another option is creating barriers such as sticky barriers, Epsom salts and ant-repellant plants. Consider calling in an exterminator to help you get rid of the ants. Exterminators have the necessary experience, training, supplies, and equipment.
Tags: ant control