Ant infestations can be quite difficult to prevent, and this is especially true for carpenter ants. Carpenter ants stand out among ants because they build their colonies inside wood. The wood gives them ample protection from regular prevention and control methods, so different approaches have to be used. Here are some of them:
Residual insecticides
Residual insecticides can be used to prevent a variety of insect infestations. They are routinely used against spiders, cockroaches and other ants, and they are usually placed in areas such as the basement, the attic or inside wall voids. These insecticides are long-lasting, and they will remain active in an area for up to six months. If an insect gets into contact with residual insecticides, it will die and thus be unable to enter the home or maintain its activity indoors.
Baits used as prevention
Ant baits can be used both for prevention and control. When used for prevention, they catch young carpenter ant colonies before they have a chance to grow. So if a swarmer starts a colony in your home, and the colony grows to the point where it has workers that can go out to forage, these workers will come across the bait. They will then take the bait back to the colony, and since the colony is so small, it will be wiped out almost right away.
Broadcast application insecticides
Broadcast application insecticides are similar to residual insecticides, but they are only used outdoors. They also tend to be expensive, so they need to be used strategically. For example, they can be placed near the foundation of the home, to prevent ants from entering the building. Traditionally, these insecticides are used against fire ants to protect areas of the property where you are most active.
With these prevention methods in place, your home will be fairly well protected. However, the protection is not bulletproof, so you may still have to deal with an infestation, even if the chance is minimal. In this situation, it’s best to hire a pro to take care of the colony. A pro will be able to use baits to make sure that the colony is fully destroyed as quickly as possible, and greatly lower the odds of reinfestation.
For more information on how carpenter ant infestations can be prevented, or if you have an infestation in your home, contact us today.