Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Finding a Population
• Method 2 of 3: Killing Carpenter Ants
• Method 3 of 3: Prevent Spreading
• Tips
• Warnings

Carpenter ants are very common and very harmful insects. If you leave them unattended, a carpenter colony can spread very quickly. This is why early detection and destruction of a colony prevents large damage to structures that can be very costly to repair. The first example shows how to locate a carpenter ant colony before it gets out of control.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Finding a Population

1. 1 Learn to identify carpenter ants. Carpenter ants belong to the group of ants and the genus Camponotus, which has over 1000 species. Woodworms live on all continents except Antarctica and, as a separate species, have a variety of distinctive features. But there are certain common features inherent in this species, which will not be superfluous to know when you try to determine whether simple ants or carpenter ants live in your house. Here are some features to look out for:
   • Color: Usually red, black or intermediate shade.
   • Shape: the body is segmented, has an oval abdomen and a cubic, thin rib cage. The upper part of the rib cage of a carpenter ant, as a rule, has smooth and even curvilinear curves.
   • Dimensions: Approx 3/8 ”-1/2" depending on accessory.
   • Has antennae.
   • The normal worker ant does not have wings, but occasionally some males may.
2. 2 We will find out where carpenter ants live. Wood borers can settle inside and outside various structures, but wood structures are usually more at risk because wood borers like to gnaw through thin passages in the wood. Unlike termites, carpenter ants do not eat wood - they tunnel to create a nest. Due to the fact that it is easier to make tunnels in wet wood than in dry wood, the breeding ground for ants will be near a source of moisture, such as a leaking bathtub or washbasin.
   • Occasionally, woodworms build one or more satellite colonies or ancestral colonies outside the structure and travel between colonies and their bridgeheads, penetrating into premises through small cracks in the walls. In such cases, outdoor colonies will be located in stumps, felled trees, piles of firewood, or other sources of damp wood. Most often, the paths of carpenter ants can be found at dawn or early sunset hours, during foraging (harvesting materials).
   • When ants drill tunnels, they leave "scraps", a substance that resembles sawdust or wood dust. Leftovers often contain dead insects. This can assist in locating the nest. If you come across small piles of sawdust around your house, carefully examine the tree around for tunnels - checking the boards with a thin screwdriver can reveal voids.
3. 3 We will find out where to look for the activity of carpenter ants. Although they usually settle in wood, it will be very difficult to find a colony of woodworms in the wall of a house. If you suspect that carpenter ants have settled in, it may be a good idea to look for them in easily accessible places where you are most likely to find them. Some areas in the home are more suitable for carpenter ant activity than others, especially if they are wet and / or have access to food. Look for woodworms in places like this:
   • Rugs - Check around doors, fireplaces, and other areas that are easily accessible from the street.
   • Patios and foundations
   • Green Areas - Ants like to blaze trails and harvest out of sight behind plants, tree stumps, and branches that rest on foundations or patios. Check vegetation for ants. When you find ants, try following them to their colony.
     • Mulch and leaves can be a refuge for many species of ants and not only woodworms, but such as sidewalk ants, fire ants, Argentine ants. Scrape the mulch out of the ground and check for colonies.
   • Floors - Potted plants, compost heaps, or any other suitable object in contact with the ground may contain woodworm ants.

Method 2 of 3: Killing Carpenter Ants

1. 1 Be very careful when working with woodworms. Although this rarely happens, it does happen sometimes and is therefore worth mentioning: do not take the ants or their nests with unprotected hands. Carpenter ants are not aggressive insects and usually do not bite humans.But sometimes, when they are irritated or in danger, they can and will bite painfully. Carpenter ants are also known to inject formic acid into the wound, which in turn increases pain. While being bitten by an ant is not the end of the world, you can avoid unnecessary pain by avoiding touching carpenter ants and their nests unless it is really necessary, but then wear long sleeves and gloves.
2. 2 Colony detection. The first step in eradicating a carpenter ant colony is to locate the colony in your home. To find a woodworm colony in your home, look for ants, sawdust, small holes in the areas listed in Part One, paying particular attention to areas with damp wood. You can also test the wood by tapping on it, the affected wood will sound thinner or more dull than the unaffected wood. Tapping will also irritate the ants and they will leave the nest so you can easily spot them.
   • Do not forget that old and large nests have smaller satellites nearby, which must also be found and destroyed to completely destroy the invasion.
3. 3 Destruction and removal of the colony. In the case of small colonies or those that are easy to access, it is sometimes easier to simply delete the colony itself. If the colony is outside, just throw out the wood, and use a thick material like tarp to protect you from ants while you take out the affected wood. Some pest control sites advise using a vacuum cleaner to suck them out of the nest.
   • If you decide to use the vacuuming method, make sure you tie and discard the bag thoroughly so that the surviving ants do not escape.
   • If you find a colony that has gnawed too many passages, do not cut out the walls, you could compromise the structural strength of your home. Call the professionals.
4. 4 Use bait for colonies that cannot be caught directly. You may not always be able to find carpenter ant colonies. Although, if you find a large number of insects themselves and set traps on the paths, you can influence the number of insects, which will lead to the destruction of the colony. A huge number of different baits, traps and other antivenom devices are available to the public - go to your nearest hardware store and check out the selection.
   • Be very be careful when using baits and poisons in homes where there are children. Make sure the children know not to eat poisons, and if the child is too young to understand, then supervise him carefully.
5. 5 Get in touch with professionals. If you have not been able to quickly detect and eliminate the infestation using insecticides, it is best to call a professional exterminator. Professionals own special insecticides and equipment that are not available for general use, but most importantly, their skills and knowledge make it much faster and more accurate than an ordinary person to determine the location of a cluster of woodworm ants.
   • Remember that some of the methods used by pest controllers may require you to vacate the premises for 1-2 days.
   • Don't delay - the longer you wait, the more woodworm ant colony grows and the more damage your facility will do.

Method 3 of 3: Prevent Spreading

1. 1 Remove sources of moisture. Moisture is an important factor in the spread of carpenter ant. Often a stack of firewood will be prone to ants build up after being wet. By correcting water leaks in your home, you prevent carpenter ants from nesting. Here are some tips for eliminating moisture that can contribute to woodworm infestation:
   • Look around windows for a loose fit.
   • Clear clogged gutters and remove overflow.
   • Keep basements, attics, and underground spaces well ventilated.
   • Look for and fix leaking pipes.
   • Clear clogged gutters and remove overflow.
2. 2 Remove points of penetration, cracks and crevices. If the ants are unable to leave and enter the home, any companion colony fed by the outdoor colony will be isolated and most likely simply die out.
3. 3 Examine the outside of your home for cracks, holes, and other small voids that are conducive to the entry of ants - pay particular attention to the outside walls and areas closest to the ground or foundations. Cover the holes with strong putty or caulk.
   • Also check the entry points for plumbing and electricity, as these are most vulnerable to the spread of woodworm ants.
4. 4 Remove wood and wood materials around your home. Due to the fact that woodworms love to settle both outside and inside wood, finding and removing an infected tree will help keep ants out of your home. Thoroughly inspect all wood around the house - if wood is contaminated, carefully remove or discard it. Places to look for:
   • Stumps
   • Firewood
   • Old trees. Especially if their branches touch your home.
   • Trash heaps
5. 5 Consider creating an artificial barrier. If the ant problem is your concern, you may want to add a small strip of gravel or rubble around the house. This "barrier" is a rather unfavorable environment for woodworms, and, perhaps, it will convince them, and they will not climb into your house through holes in the foundation. Consult with a professional about the practicality and affordability of this project in your home or, if you are an economic person, do this home improvement work yourself.

Tips

• If possible, use outdoor baits such as KM Ant Pro and liquid bait. Carpenter ants feed on aphids, so something that resembles the sweet milk of aphids will drive them crazy and control them.
• Carpenter ants are very active at night. Take a flashlight and go outside. Look for paths of woodworm ants coming from trees, stumps, and other possible nesting sites. You can also trace woodworm ants along paths from your structure to their nests.

Warnings

• Do not use spray insecticides and powders while using bait. By combining them, you will only kill the feeding ants. They, in turn, will poison the bait.