Carpenter Ants

Preventing carpenter ants around your home

One of the most common ants Northeast Ohioans experience through the spring and summer months is the carpenter ant. Black and large – usually 1/2 to 5/8 of an inch – homeowners want to avoid finding them indoors at all costs. You need TNT Exterminating, among the top rated of carpenter ant exterminators in Akron, Ohio.

The experts at TNT understand that preventing carpenter ants indoors starts with preventing them outdoors. This is our priority because carpenter ants are more than a nuisance. They can be highly destructive.

Carpenter ants build their nests inside dead and damp wood. This can be fallen logs and firewood, as well as wood buildings and structures, including your foundation. Once they have infested a structure, then tend to leave very little evidence other than a sawdust-type material near the nest. Our experts advise calling if you observe large numbers of carpenter ants around your home or any signs of debris in or around the home. Carpenter ants typically begin nesting outdoors, but will move indoors during cooler weather, so even one or two in your home could be indicative of an infestation.

What should you do?

• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed so they do not touch your roof or outside walls. Carpenter ants will use these to gain access to your home.
• Seal gaps in windows, doors and around utility lines to prevent access, and repair water leaks that dampen wood, a favorite nesting area for carpenter ants.
• Keep your yard clear of woody debris and never store firewood against your home or other wood structure.
• Consider alternatives to wood mulch if carpenter ants are a recurrent problem.
• Keep food in sealed containers and clean up food spills on counters and outdoor spaces, as sugary foods are attractive to ants.

If you suspect a carpenter ant infestation in or around your home, call TNT Exterminating, your Akron area carpenter ant exterminator, right away. We inspect the area, treat the problem and help you prevent future infestations.