Trying to determine if there is an infestation of carpenter ants in the home may involve some detective work on the part of the homeowner. However, some of the signs are obvious, such as ants congregating around food that has been left out. Other signs include rustling noises coming from the walls at night and unexplained wood shavings or sawdust in an area.
1. Ants Around Food or Pet Food
While most people put away their leftovers, other items can attract ants as well. Fruits and vegetables that are stored in bowls on countertops, pet food, or crumbs can all attract ants. Scouts may enter the house and locate food, and then return to the colony to let the worker ants know about the new food source. This can lead to a line of ants crawling through the house that ends in a cluster at the food source.
2. Nocturnal Noises
Carpenter ants are most active at night, so if a colony is inside the walls of the house, there may be noises emanating from the area after dark. If noises are detected, it is a good idea to contact Staten Island exterminators to come out and evaluate the situation.
3. Unexplained Wood Shavings
While the ants do not eat wood, they do burrow into it to create nests, which can severely damage properly. They often build nests behind walls but can settle anywhere that is undisturbed for long periods of time and destroy the woodwork behind sinks or under floors. Unexplained wood shavings found anywhere in the house can indicate an infestation and should be dealt with by professionals immediately.
Experiencing an infestation of carpenter ants is not something that anyone wishes to go through. By carefully monitoring the house and trying to keep food covered and crumbs cleaned up, it is possible to make the house less of a target.
