Introduction
Many homeowners in University Place and Lacey, WA, assume that ant activity only occurs during the spring, summer, and fall. However, top carpenter ant removal services in Federal Way, WA, have witnessed high call volumes surrounding ants in the winter, specifically carpenter ants.
While it’s easy to understand the assumption that ants go away during the winter, through this blog, you’ll realize where ants go to survive the cold weather and how you can avoid a tacky pest infestation. From what attracts them in the colder months to how you can keep carpenter ants in Puyallup, WA, away, this guide will reveal everything you need to know to protect your property.
What Attracts Carpenter Ants in the Winters?
For a successful carpenter ant removal in Auburn, WA, during the winter, you need to understand what factors attract these pests. When the weather gets colder, these ants try to find a shelter that provides warmth and food sources. Since carpenter ants need a place to locate their colony, these spots become the perfect hiding points.
Wood isn’t the only invitation into a home for these pests, and woodwork alone will not cause them to swarm. There are a few other main factors that can attract carpenter ants in University Place, WA, to your property during the winter, including:
- Moisture
- Food
- Shelter
What Are The Signs of an Ant Infestation?
Carpenter ants are most active at night, so you might not be able to ascertain just how many there are. It’s extremely important to watch out for the following signs,
- Spotting large black ants in different corners of your home.
- Noticing long ant paths or trails in your garden/lawn/landscape.
- Large winged ants emerge from your crawl space, attic, ceilings, floor joists, and other dark, hidden cracks.
- Finding ant droppings(fecal matter and soft, fibrous pieces of wood) around your home.
- While carpenter ants can live in dry wood, they prefer moist or rotten wood. So, inspect any spot with damp wood thoroughly with a screwdriver.
- Shed wings of swarmer ants or piles of wood shavings and sawdust near vents, window sills, and baseboards.
- Hearing a faint rustling scratching noise in your walls or inside your woodwork. Actually, keep an eye out for any wood piece/woodwork around the property, as it helps trace these pests for effective carpenter ant removal in Gig Harbor, WA.
If you notice either of the signs in or around your property, it may be time to schedule a professional carpenter ant removal service in Olympia, WA.
How To Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?
We will be completely honest: carpenter ant removal in Lakewood, WA, can be challenging as they build a central nest and several satellites during winter.
The best thing to do is to eliminate the source of moisture that’s attracting carpenter ants in Tacoma, WA, to your home, as well as sealing any sources of food that might keep them coming back. Like other ants, these pests use scent trails to return to food sources and their nests. If you can get rid of them thoroughly with ammonia, they may not be able to find their way back.
Additionally, if you locate an actual nest on your property, you can treat the wall void(or wherever it is) by drilling ⅛-inch holes along the nest and puffing boric acid inside. Doing this will dry the carpenter ants out as they move through the nest.
Remember that this is just a general suggestion, and the best course of action in the event of a pest infestation is to schedule an appointment with a professional carpenter ant removal service like Long Pest Control in Gig Harbor, WA.
How To Prevent Entry or Future Problems?
Your property has various potential entry points to allow carpenter ants to enter, from tiny cracks to open doors or windows. To successfully prevent a carpenter ant infestation in Federal Way, WA, on your property this winter, it’s crucial that homeowners eliminate any potential entry points.
You can implement the following practices for effective carpenter ant removal and prevention in Lacey, WA:
- Seal small chips, cracks, or access points around the exteriors of your home.
- Put food away, and don’t leave dirty dishes out for long.
- Keep trees, shrubs, and plants trimmed and away from your home.
- Fix any broken or loose screens around your home.
- Keep doors, windows, and other entrances tightly sealed.
- Inspect firewood thoroughly before bringing it inside.
- If snow hasn’t fallen yet, be sure to protect your property’s exterior so that ant populations don’t settle close by.
- Repair or discard damaged or decaying wood around the house
- Clean your gutters.
- Schedule a consultation with a credible and qualified carpenter ant removal service like Long Pest Control in Olympia, Auburn, Lakewood, Gig Harbor, and Tacoma, WA.
Conclusion
If you notice a carpenter ant infestation or any signs of their presence in Federal Way, Puyallup, or Gig Harbor, WA, please don’t hesitate to contact our team at Long Pest Control today. We’ve been keeping homes pest-free since 1979 as a full-service licensed, bonded, and insured pest control company in the state of Washington.
Technicians at Long Pest Control are certified, experienced, and knowledgeable to help educate and communicate with the customers.
Our ongoing training consists of in-home and offsite continual education courses to keep up with the latest products, tools, insect behavior, diseases, safety issues, and treatment methods.
