Carpenter ants are one of the recyclers in Nature. Their role, along with predation of other insects, is to reduce dead wood to sawdust, which then can be returned to the soil as nutrition for new growing plants. Without the work of carpenter ants, termites, beetles, and other insects that decompose dead trees we would have a lot of dead trees cluttering the forest floor. Our goal, as Delaware Pest Control Professionals, however, is to keep these insects from attempting to recycle the dead trees that our homes are made from for as long as possible.

Here are some thoughts you might put to use.

• Eliminate all unwanted wood to reduce nesting sites in the yard, including old logs, stumps, or rotting landscape timbers
• When removing trees also remove the roots to eliminate nest sites
• Store firewood and other lumber as far away from the home as possible and elevated off the soil
• Do not bring firewood into the home until immediately prior to its use
• Keep wood in a dry condition, and eliminate any excessive moisture conditions indoors. The ants often are drawn to damp wood as it is easier to excavate.
• Repair any earth-to-wood contacts, where wood of the structure directly contacts the soil, permitting ants to easily enter the wood.
• Trim all tree and shrubbery branches so that they do not touch the structure. Also trim them so they do not contact wires that run to the home, also giving the ants a pathway.
• If wires leading to the home are serving as an ant pathway, consider coating these with a sticky substance to repel the ants, and seal any holes at the wire-to-house junction.
• Pick up fallen fruits and vegetables to eliminate ant food resources
• Inspect the exterior of your home and use caulking or other building materials to permanently seal as many holes and gaps as possible, to minimize the opportunity for ants to enter. This commonly is around windows and door frames and beneath siding.

If you think you have a problem with Carpenter Ants, call Royal Pest Management or click on the NEED YA' NOW! button below. Royal has been managing ants and providing Pest Control in Delaware since 1976. 

Call 800-769-2573 CLICK HERE TO MAKE AN APPOINTMENT