FAQ'S and TIPS :Carpenter Ants
1. How long have you noticed the problem?
A long history of activity indicates a colony located in the structure.
In northern regions, activity indoors during colder weather is strong
evidence that a colony is located in the structure.
2. How many ants do you see?
Seeing many ants frequently indicates an indoor colony.
If you see them only occasionally, they may be
random foragers coming in form the outside.
3. Where are Carpenter Ants seen most often?
This will provide a clue to where
Carpenter Ants are foraging and nesting.
4. Have you seen any small piles that look like sawdust?
Frass piles are usually located close to nest sites
5. Have you had any water leaks or noticed any rotting wood ?
If so where?
Carpenter Ants often nest in moist or rotting wood.
You should inspect these areas first.
Carpenter Ants prefer to nest in moist environments.
6. Conduct inspections in the evening or early morning.
Carpenter Ants are more active at night, so you're more likely to
observe foraging activity and find the nest.
7. Inspect "lines".
Foraging ants like to travel on fence lines,
phone lines, roof lines,railings ,
as well as driveway / sidewalk borders and edges.
8. Knock on wood near suspected nest sites.
Look and listen for activity.
Carpenter ants sound like crinkling cellophane.
9. Check frass piles for materials such as wood,
insulating, plastic, etc.
Frass material will help indicate specific nest locations.
10. Look for plastic vapor barriers under mulch beds.
Ants trail or nest under the plastic film.
11. Follow foraging ants carrying the food particles.
They're heading back to the nest.
Place food in the ants' path, then follow
them back to their nests.
12. Be mindful of weather conditions during the inspections.
They rarely forage if temperatures
are below 55 degrees F.
13. Inspect trees and dead wood.
They tend to nest in tree holes and dead wood
on the ground.
14. Inspect outdoor plants for aphids.
They like to feed on honeydew.
15. Look for tree branches, shrubs and vines
against the buildings.
Branches and vines provide easy access