Ants generally come to mind when you think of irritating insects, and with good reason. Ants are gregarious insects with a propensity for traveling in huge groups. If you observe one or two ants, you can be certain that there are dozens or perhaps hundreds more in the area.
There are numerous species of ants that may invade your home, so you must be familiar with the most effective ways for eliminating them. Carpenter ants are quite prevalent and can inflict significant harm. Continue reading for assistance on How To Find Ant Nests. We will teach you how to locate ant nests so that you may eliminate these unpleasant pests before they cause harm to your home.
How to Locate Ant Nests
To locate ant nests, you should first look for symptoms of infestation. There will be carpenter ant indications both inside and outside the home. Indicators inside the home include:
- Wood splinters. Termite activity frequently results in wood shavings. They are typically discovered in the attic or cellar, beneath beams.
- Dead insects. If there are numerous dead ants near a window, there is likely an infestation.
- Swarmers. Large, winged ants that establish their own colonies are called swarmers. If you observe them, it is likely that a colony is close.
- Moisture. In addition to food, carpenter ants require water. Ants may congregate near a leak or water source in your home in order to obtain a drink.
There are various exterior indications that may indicate an infestation of carpenter ants:
- Earthen mounds. Carpenter ants scrape soil from their nests, so if you observe little piles of soil outdoors, you may have an infestation.
- Aphids. Carpenter ants enjoy the flavor of aphids, particularly their honeydew. If a plant has aphids, you can expect that ants will be close by.
- Rotten wood. Where do wood-destroying ants nest? They enjoy decaying wood for creating their colonies, so if you have untreated wood outside, you may have an infestation.
Aim for the Colony
The nest can be located by targeting the colony. This is, however, easier said than done. It is difficult to track ants; for this reason, many homes require cheap exterminator services. These pests are quite small and can readily conceal themselves in cracks or under baseboards.
However, it is not impossible for the colony to be targeted. Here are some potential locations:
- Kitchen
- Walls
- Bedroom
- Air conditioning and heating systems
- Under Concrete
- Trash can
- Insulation
- Holes and cracks
Where Do Carpenter Ants Make Their Nests?
Carpenter ants may have nests indoors or outdoors. However, they prefer to nest in decaying or moist wood, such as hardwood trees with holes, because they require constant temperature and humidity. Carpenter ants construct their nests indoors in windows, sinks, door frames, and chimneys.
What Do Carpenter Ant Nests Look Like?
Nests of carpenter ants vary in size, structure, and location. The majority of nests are devoid of any dirt. In addition, they have parallel tunnels. Frass or sawdust can be found nearby.
Nevertheless, ants are opportunistic nesters. Carpenter ants will travel wherever there is wood, which implies they could be discovered in every room of the house.
Destructive Effects of Carpenter Ants
Once you have discovered where the carpenter ants are nesting, you should search for signs of damage. In extreme circumstances, carpenter ants can cause structural damage by weakening support beams and warping a home or other building.
However, the harm is typically not that serious. There may be frayed wood around the edges. Damage may appear as dots and dashes. In rare instances, it may appear splintered or even rotted like wood.
Contact Us Right Now
Carpenter ants are not only bothersome, but they can also cause damage to your home’s structure. Now that you know how to locate an ant nest, seek professional assistance. Contact our black-owned pest control company at (773)692-3615 for help with carpenter ants and 6 Lesser-Known Bugs You may Find in Your House.
