Four Easy-To-Spot Signs Your Jacksonville Home May Have Carpenter Ants

What Are Carpenter Ants And Why Do They Infest Jacksonville Homes?

We’ve all heard of ants, but what exactly are carpenter ants? These ants are usually black in appearance, but they are sometimes a dark shade of red or brown. These are small, six-legged, segmented pests, varying from ½” to 5/8” in size. As the name implies, carpenter ants center their activities on wood, excavating through wood to create tunnels. They use these tunnels to nest in. Your Jacksonville home could be the perfect getaway for them, especially if there is easy access to water throughout your property.
 
While carpenter ants center their activities on wood, it is moisture that attracts them in the first place. They typically seek out wooden frames softened by water and mold, as they need a constant source of water to survive. It is common for them to initially create tunnels inside moist wood and then move on to other, drier areas once they have infested a home. Unfortunately, their excavating habits can cause major property damage. But how do they get inside in the first place?
 
Carpenter ants will use any shortcuts they can to get into your property. If you have any tree branches touching your house, that’s a possible line of entry.
Firewood near the home is another danger, as pests will build nests there, and possibly find their way inside the property. Store all firewood a safe distance away from your home.
Any small cracks or openings near your windows or doors or in the foundation of your home are also problematic, so be sure to seal these with silicone-based caulk. 
 
So what happens if these precautions aren’t enough? Let’s take a look at four easy-to-spot signs that you may have carpenter ants in your Jacksonville home.

How To Tell If You Have Carpenter Ants In Your Jacksonville Home

• Tiny openings through any wood in your home can point to carpenter ants. This is a sign that pests have tunneled into your property and are probably spreading to other areas.
• Gathering of wood shavings, flying ant wings, and other debris near holes. This physical evidence left behind can point to carpenter ants.
• Soft rustling noises inside walls point to pests moving through your property.
• Most importantly, if you spot one or two carpenter ants directly, it’s highly likely there are more hiding just out of sight. The best thing to do is to call the professionals.

Contact Lindsey Pest Services To Rid Your Jacksonville Home Of Carpenter Ants

After spotting any of these signs, don’t delay. What might look like only a few carpenter ants could be a large infestation. Give Lindsey Pest Services a call at the first sign of carpenter ants. Our licensed experts can assess the problem and get rid of carpenter ants for you while offering ways to keep them from coming back. Contact us today to find out more about our carpenter ant control options to help safeguard your home from these destructive pests.