Of all the pests in Salem, Oregon, ants are one of the most common and widespread. There are many different ant species in the area, and most of them are invasive but considered nuisance pests. However, the carpenter ant is not just a harmless pest. These small insects can cause a great deal of property damage as they ruin wooden structures around your property.

Unlike termites, carpenter ants don’t eat wood. Instead, they tunnel through it to create tunnels and nests. However, carpenter ants can do similar kinds and amounts of damage, and the destruction can add up over time if the infestation isn’t addressed.

Because they can look similar to other species, it’s useful to know how to identify carpenter ants given their ruinous nature. These ants have wings, and they are a dark brown to black color. They also have a single node that attaches their thorax to their abdomen while many species have two nodes.

Five Signs Of Carpenter Ants

To protect your home or business from carpenter ants, you should be aware of what an infestation looks like. Similarly to termites, carpenter ants can destroy many wooden items including floors, support beams, furniture, decks, and more. While carpenter ants are generally easier to identify than termites, knowing the signs can help you stop an infestation as soon as it begins.

Here are the five main signs of carpenter ant infestations:

1. Seeing lines of dark brown or black ants crawling into the building
2. Noticing piles of wood shavings next to walls of other wooden items
3. Hearing faint rustling noises coming from the inside of walls
4. Finding discarded wings next to baseboards
5. Noticing signs of damage such as buckling floorboards or doors that fit tightly in their frames

Some Tips For Preventing Carpenter Ants

If you have noticed any of these signs, it’s important to reach out for professional pest help as carpenter ants are difficult to get rid of without help. However, if you don’t have carpenter ants yet, it’s a great time to take some steps to keep them out. Carpenter ants usually get inside when wooden items are in contact with the exterior of the building, and they can also be attracted to food sources.

Here are the best preventive measures:

• Remove any water-damaged or decaying wood from your yard.
• Keep firewood stored at least 30 feet away from the building and make sure it is dry.
• Like other ants, carpenter ants are attracted to both people and pet food. So, keep food stored in airtight containers.
• Reduce moisture problems by fixing leaky plumbing and using dehumidifiers.

What To Do If You Have Carpenter Ants

At the first sign of carpenter act activity around your property, it’s best to get professional pest assistance from the experts at Kanga Pest Control, Inc. These ants are invasive and hard to remove, and you’ll end up wasting your precious time and money trying to remove them on your own.

The only effective method of preventing carpenter ants and other ant species is with help from experienced technicians. We can also remove any current infestation no matter how severe. We use the best products on the market and provide in-depth pest control services. Get started today by contacting us at (503) 864-6864.