Carpenter Ants: Still A Threat To South Carolina Homes

September 21, 2018


As soon as the weather warms up, carpenter ants start becoming active. In early spring or late summer, they take their first mating flights and begin the process of establishing new colonies. You might think that means that, by late summer or early fall, they’ve done their thing and will start to die off. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. Carpenter ants will become inactive in the winter months but do not die the way some insects do. The queens in some cases can live for a couple dozen years! In the warmer climate of South Carolina, carpenter ants can stay active for a much longer period of time and, if they are in a warm home, can stay active through the winter. When carpenter ants continually stay active, they can do extensive damage to your home.

carpenter ant crawling on wood in a home

Carpenter ants like to establish their colonies in damp wood. As they burrow into the wood, they create their nests. they also create tunnels to move between different parts of the nest. There can be hundreds, and even thousands, of ants in the colony, and with all the workers tunneling and foraging, you can have a huge problem on your hands. Many times, homeowners don’t discover carpenter ants until the damage has already been done and you are looking at expensive repairs. Knowing what to look for can help to curb the infestation and damage before it gets too severe.

Watch for:

  • Swarming ants outside your home, they may be looking to establish a satellite colony, or they might already have established colonies in your home

  • Discarded wings from the swarmers

  • Wood shavings that resemble sawdust around your baseboards, under windows, and around your foundation

Taking the time to inspect your home periodically can help to prevent an infestation and the associated damage. Keep your home dry and examine the outside of your home often for leaks and issues with the foundation.

Whether you want to prevent carpenter ants or you suspect an infestation in your home, you’ll want to call Aiken Pest Control so we can assess your problem and offer solutions. We provide free inspections and can come up with a plan that is best for you. Upon completion of an indoor and outdoor inspection, we will provide tips to keep your home pest free, and with our quarterly pest control service, you can rest assured that your home will be protected. Should you encounter problems with carpenter ants, or any pest, between your regularly scheduled visits, you can contact us and we will come and treat the problem at no additional charge. Contact Aiken Pest Control today to help tackle your South Carolina carpenter ant problem.




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