We’ve recently had an influx of jobs for carpenter ants here in Jacksonville. I figured it would be the perfect time to talk about what they are. There is a huge difference between regular fire ants and carpenter ants and here’s why you should know the difference.
You’ve probably seen these large ants before – they’re significantly larger than regular red ants. They are nocturnal insects, so seeing them during the day isn’t as common. So if you have a infestation, odds are you’ll see them at night.
Why are they so bad? They burrow and nest in wood. Specifically they like wood softened by moisture. They make their nest in the damp, (often dead) wood – and create tunnels to move around. If you see piles of wood shavings around your home, you’ll know you have an issue.
Carpenter ants are a big issue in Florida due to the amount of rain we receive. We get a lot of rain during the summer months, this can lead to wood that is moisture ridden. Carpenter ants typically emerge during the fall, and since we usually have dealt with a lot of rain, they are attracted to that wood that has moisture. One of the biggest problem areas are door frames.
It is extremely difficult for the regular consumer to remove a carpenter ant infestation – it’s best to contact a professional pest control company, like us, to help you get rid of them. Usually it takes two treatments to get rid of them – but if it takes more we’ll help until they are gone.
Give us a call today if you are dealing with carpenter ants – don’t hesitate, it’s a problem you don’t want to ignore.
