If you are dreaming of warmer weather you might start to think about all of the things you can do around your yard this spring. Maybe you might want to plant a garden or dig up some unsightly bushes around your property.
But have you thought about what type of pests might be lurking around your yard? Some of them may not bother you at all and some of them could be one of those pests you should watch out for.
One pest that becomes active in the spring and very often can make its way into your homes are carpenter ants. So, are these one of the pests you should watch out for? Will carpenter ants bite? We’ve got all that info for you today.
What Do Carpenter Ants Do?
Carpenter ants get their name from their nest building. They dig out tunnels inside wood to make nests. They are basically tiny little carpenters trying to make a home.
However, many people mistake having a carpenter ant problem with a termite problem. Carpenter ants will leave behind a trail of wood shavings, as they just use the wood to make their nests. But, termites are actually eating all of the wood they are making their way through.
They both can cause damage though. So, if you notice the tell-tale signs of carpenter ants around your home, they should be dealt with right away.
Do They Bite?
The big question is, do carpenter ants bite? And the answer is, yes they can bite. And it can be a painful bite that can pierce the skin. It isn’t the most common ant bite, but it definitely can happen.
They will bite humans if their nests are disturbed or if they start to feel threatened. And when they do, not only can they bite but they also spray a defensive chemical of formic acid, which can cause the pain you feel to be intensified. However, the pain quickly goes away and the bite doesn’t usually cause any damage.
This chemical isn’t usually intended for humans, it is usually meant to fight off other insects when they feel threatened. But a human can seem like a definite threat to an ant in the heat of the moment.
Now, the fire ant is usually the first ant most people think of when someone mentions ants that bite. They are dull red and around 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch long.
But carpenter ants are larger at between 1/4 and 3/4 of an inch in length and are red, black, brown, or a combination of both. And you don’t usually get a swarming of carpenter ants to sting you like you do with fire ants. And the pain quickly goes away
If you have been bitten by any type of ant and notice lingering symptoms or signs of allergic reaction like swelling or fever, it is always best to have your bite checked out by a medical professional.
How To Keep Carpenter Ants Away
Obviously, any type of pest that can bite or cause damage to your house is one that you don’t want around. So how are you supposed to keep them away once they start to emerge when the weather starts to warm up this spring?
If you notice carpenter ants around your home, or wood shavings from them making nests in any wood around your property, you are going to need to act quickly.
The best way to get rid of them is to first remove any wood piles or lumber away from your home that could attract them to make nests. You can also make sure that your house is pest proofed by sealing any cracks, removing any water sources, and making sure that trees and bushes are trimmed away from your home so there isn’t an easy way for ants to crawl into your home.
Then, you are going to need to get rid of their colony. The best way to do this is with a slow-acting treatment. With this type of method, your local pest control expert will place bait and the ants will take it back to their colony. The colony will slowly be eliminated and your carpenter ant problem will no longer exist!
Call us for Help
While some ants may seem harmless, there are quite a few out there that aren’t. And the carpenter ant is definitely one of them. If you find yourself seeing these ants come marching by, Kapture can take care of the problem in no time.
And, if you find yourself with any pest-related questions, we are always here to help. We always offer free phone consultations.
Contact Kapture for a No-Obligation Phone Consultation and Quote:
Call 1-888-811-5813 or schedule online now to start protecting your home and family today!
