Are Carpenter Ants Destroying Your Virginia Home?

Contrary to popular belief, carpenter ants don't cause nearly as much damage as termites. However, that doesn't mean you want these pests finding their way into your home. Carpenter ant damages in the United States total millions of dollars each year. So, just because they don't reach the billions as termites do, doesn't mean an infestation is easy on our wallets. 

Carpenter ants in Virginia are some of the most devastating pests. They bore through wooden structures and furniture, leading to thousands of dollars in damages. If you suspect carpenter ants in your home, contact a reputable Virginia pest control firm for assistance.

What Do Carpenter Ants Look Like?

Carpenter ants in Virgina are black or dark brown and have a reddish hue on their head and thorax. These ants can grow up to one inch in length and typically build their nests inside tree stumps, logs, or other wooden structures.

If you see large numbers of black carpenter ants in your home, they could be nesting inside the walls, floorboards, or other wooden structures. These ants are most active at night, so you may not see them during the day.

Although, you may notice piles of sawdust near their nests. Carpenter ants also make some noise when nesting, which sounds like rustling paper.

How To Tell If Carpenter Ants Are In Your Home

If you're not sure if you have carpenter ants in your home, there are a few signs to look for:

• Piles of sawdust near windows or doors: Carpenter ants excavate wood to build their nests. This process creates a lot of sawdust, which you may find near their nesting areas.
• Hollowed-out wood: If you tap on a piece of wood and it sounds hollow, there's a good chance carpenter ants have been nesting inside.
• Frass: Carpenter ant frass in your home looks like small pieces of wood or sawdust, often found near their nesting areas.
• Noise coming from walls or ceilings: If you hear a rustling sound coming from your walls or ceilings, it could be carpenter ants.

Should you see any of these signs, it's essential to act quickly. You can avoid carpenter ant damage to your home by calling a Virginia home pest control firm. They'll identify the problem and find the best solution for your home.

How Much Damage Can Carpenter Ants Do To Your Home?

If there's a carpenter ant queen on your property, she can produce over twenty eggs at a time. It's not unusual for a single colony of carpenter ants to grow to contain over 15,000 workers.

These workers are the ones that do the damage to your home. This damage includes:

• Carpenter ants can damage insulation, which could lead to higher energy bills.
• If carpenter ants nest in your home, they may spread diseases like salmonella and dysentery through contaminated food.
• Carpenter ants can also damage your home's structural integrity by boring into the wood.
• Although they rarely bite, these ants can cause a painful, itchy reaction when they do.
• These ants can draw in other pests, like bees and wasps, which can also be dangerous.

If you have a carpenter ant infestation, it's important to call a pest control firm right away. They'll find and remove the queen and all of the workers from your home. This will help prevent further damage and save you thousands of dollars in repairs.

How To Deter Carpenter Ants In Virginia

There are a few things you can do to deter carpenter ants in Virginia, for example:

• Remove woodpiles and stumps from your property.
• Store firewood away from your home.
• Repair any damage to your home's wooden structures.
• Seal up any cracks or openings in your home's exterior.
• Install door sweeps and weatherstripping.

However, if these tips, along with carpenter ant spray or other solutions, don't work, contact Albemarle Termite & Pest Control. We use the latest technology and products to get rid of carpenter ants quickly and efficiently with our effective home pest control and commercial pest control services.

We'll help you get rid of carpenter ants and protect your home from future infestations. Call us today to schedule a free consultation!