Although it is safe to assume that you do not want any kind of pests infesting your McKinney property, if the invading pests are more than just invasive, and are actively destroying or damaging your property, you should really want to keep them out. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what might happen if carpenter ants make their way onto your McKinney property. Given this, many property owners want to know how their homes came to be infested by carpenter ants in the first place. To understand this, you need to know what attracts carpenter ants to properties. Once you know this, you can begin to take the proper precautions to ensure your McKinney property is protected from these destructive ants.
What Do Carpenter Ants Look Like?
Carpenter ants grow to be about 5/8th of an inch long. They are typically black, red, or a combination of the two. A common misconception about carpenter ants is that they eat wood much like termites. However, while termites do eat wood, carpenter ants simply build their nests inside of it. Still, this is damaging to the wood which is why carpenter ants are so destructive to have in your home.
Carpenter ants live in colonies that consist of three castes. These are workers, soldiers, and reproductives, which have wings. Workers gather food for the colony while soldiers protect it. Reproductives are tasked with setting out to create new colonies. If you spot any carpenter ants in your home, be sure to contact the professionals here at Adams Exterminating Company right away as the longer you wait, the more damage they can cause.
What Are Carpenter Ants Attracted To?
While it is important to act quickly should you find carpenter ants in your home, it is even more important to be proactive about protecting your home from these destructive ants before they come inside. To achieve this, you need to know what attracts carpenter ants inside in the first place.
Carpenter ants are attracted to both proteins and sugars that can be found in food. If you do not store your food and trash properly, or if you do not clean up spills or crumbs, you could be attracting ants into your home. Carpenter ants are also attracted to the protein found in other dead insects as well as pet food. Be sure to keep your home clean of bugs, dead or alive, and to pick up pet food after your pet has finished eating.
In addition to food, carpenter ants also seek out wood that has been water-damaged or is decaying. Therefore, you need to address any moisture issues within your home. This includes using dehumidifiers, fixing broken or leaking pipes, and replacing any currently rotting wood in your home.
How Much Damage Can Carpenter Ants Cause?
Carpenter ant colonies can reach up to 3,000 ants. They can cause a lot of damage to your property as their nests grow with their population. As their nests grow, it becomes more difficult to get rid of these ants from your property. If allowed to persist, carpenter ants can destroy structural wood, flooring, baseboards, and even antique furniture.
What Is The Best Way To Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants?
If you find yourself dealing with a carpenter ant infestation on your McKinney property, call the professionals here at Adams Exterminating Company right away. Even if you don’t currently have carpenter ants on your property, ask us about our ongoing treatment plans to keep these destructive ants out of your home before they have the chance to destroy it. Don’t let carpenter ants build their nests in your home’s wood. Give us a call today.