Carpenter Ants & Termites

Carpenter Ants & Termites Carpenter ants and termites often get mistaken for one another for their similar physical traits and their social behaviors, but they are far from being alike. Below you will learn how to properly identify each insect, how to treat, remove, and prevent both of these pesky insects from entering your homes. CARPENTER ANTS TERMITES 66% CAUSE OVER $5 BILLION IN DOCUMENTED DAMAGE EACH YEAR OF ANTS FOUND IN HOMES ARE CARPENTER ANTS 54% DAMAGE APPROXIMATELY OF PEST MANAGEMENT PROFESSIONALS CLAIM THAT ANT INFESTATIONS ARE ON THE RISE STATS ABOUT ANTS AND INFESTATION BEHAVIORS 600,000 HOMES IN THE U.S. EACH YEAR ANT INFESTATIONS are common in all of these structures AVERAGE HOME OWNER WILL SPEND $3000 IN REPAIRS AND REMEDIATION 88% 83% 82% 80% OFFICE BUILDINGS RESTAURANTS APARTMENTS AND SINGLE-FAMILY CONDOMINIUMS HOMES Front wings longer than back wings Wings Both pair same size Elbowed Antennae Straight Narrow Waist Thick Can be red or black Always black Color 1/4 to 3/4 inch Size 1/2 inch CARPENTER ANTS TERMITES MAIN INFESTATION SEASON, WAYS THEY ENTER INTO HOMES & WHAT ATTRACTS THEM Main Infestation Season ACTIVE IN SPRING &SUMMER ACTIVE ALL YEAR Ways They Enter Homes Ants use scouts to enter new homes and areas to report back to the colony if food was found. Subterranean Termites enter homes at ground level or below through the cracks in the foundation, cracks in brick mortar, and holes in concrete blocks to travel to the foundation. Ants can enter through cracks in the foundation of buildings, doors, and windows because of their tiny size Drywood Termites can enter through crevices in the wood through any floor of a building Termites can enter where there is wood to ground contact: door frames, desk posts, and porch steps or supports What Attracts Them Honey, sugar, protein or Moisture Food, moisture, shelter and optimal temperature Will eat dead or Consume materials made out of wood living insects products, cardboard, and paper any sweets 3 CARPENTER ANTS TERMITES DAMAGE & HOW TO IDENTIFY INFESTATION Carpenter ants destroy wood, insulation, and other materials as they They build tunnels and severely damage any wood objects in your home if left untreated. Termites cause damage to house foundations, furniture, shelves, books, carpets, laminate flooring, ceiling, walls, and insulation. Termites consume wood 24/7 and can eat Damages 2-3% of their body weight: Termite colonies can include thousands to millions of members and can cause great structural damage if left untreated. nest Wood that sounds Unlike termites, carpenter ants dig into the wood creating tunnels and pushes the wood out of galleries causing them to be smooth and finished. hollow when tapped Unlike carpenter ants, termites will eat the Most common area is the kitchen: wood How To Identify Infestation wood causing the wood to become rough and ragged. gets soaked and there is plenty of food Swarm of winged insects in or around the soil of your home Most likely found in damp or moist wood Follow workers and trail of sawdust trail to find the nest Mud tubes on exterior walls, wooden beams or in crawl spaces Discarded wings from swarms 4 CARPENTER ANTS TERMITES TREATMENT METHODS Most common household products used to remove and kill ants The following are a list of several treatment methods for termites Vinegar Termiticides Multi-Purpose Cleaner Bait Devices Herbs & Spices (cinnamon, pepper, garlic, mint) Boric Acid or Borax Dish Soup These household products are temporary solutions that do not fully control the infestation. Some Most effective type of treatment depends on the severity of the infestation, the species of termite, and location and construction of the home. Fumigation products such as boric acid, bleach, and rubbing alcohol can be dangerous around humans and pets if consumed. Will kill ants for approximately 6-8 months by using chemicals Fumigation requires you to stay out of your building for a few days and the chemicals used can be potentially harmful in the home Specialized ant control solutions by pest control experts will target and remove the root of the ant A trained and licensed pest control professional can assess each infestation individually and recommended the most effective treatment plan environment, which is not suitable for children whose immune systems are still developing. infestation with preventing measures in place to keep your home ant free. CARPENTER ANTS 5 TERMITES PREVENTION Food stored in cabinets and in Move firewood, wood and building materials away from the building Move stacks of wood away from the building Keep wood out of contact with the soil, leave a gap of 18 inches between the airtight containers ground and any wood used in construction Fix water leaks, eliminate moisture and Routinely inspect the foundation of your home for signs of termite damage standing water Wipe down all surfaces Use pressure treated lumber, natural Seal any cracks in the building, windows and doors to prevent access into building resistant woods such as redwood or alternative materials instead of wood for construction Reduce humidity in crawl spaces with proper ventilation Sweep, mop and vacuum regularly Replace broken window screens Eliminate or reduce moisture in and around your home Cited Resources: www.pestworld.org| www.termites.com Provided by: Merlins www.merlinspestcontrol.com PEST CONTROL