Both carpenter ants and termites cause the destruction of our furniture and other household items in your house. But, what attracts carpenter ants in a home?
- Carpenter ants are attracted to our homes by debris piles, food, shade, stagnant water, and also like to live in moist places. Carpenter ants are very destructive, especially in the pantry. But unlike termites, these ants don’t eat but chew the moist wood and throw off the remains behind.
These carpenter ants are both indoor and outdoor insects. When they come into the house, something has attracted them. What are things that we do that make them come out from the yard and other areas into our houses?
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Details: What Attracts Carpenter Ants in A Home?
1. Food
If you have food that the carpenter ants like, they will find their way into your house to eat. They are mostly attracted by sugary things and also proteins in the pantry.
- Things like honeydew and other sweet liquids will make them come running into your house.
- Sometimes, if you have a garden and there are lots of aphids, you need to watch out because the honeydew they produce could also be a source of attraction.
Lastly, if you leave out the garbage and leftovers in the open, this could also be another attraction point.
2. Moisture
Carpenter ants like damp and humid conditions in your house. Leaking pipes and sinks and other factors that cause humid conditions.
- If you don’t repair them, they are going to create the rightful environment that will make this ant come running.
You are most likely to find them in drains, kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry among other areas.
3. Debris
If you have firewood areas, you need to check them for the carpenter ants. They are attracted to such places more so if the firewood is wet and moist.
- Before you take that firewood into the house, always do a thorough check for these ants.
- Damp and the rotting wood are also another favorite spot for the ants as they chew the wood.
There are also other factors that accelerate and create a rightful environment for the ants.
Related: Quality Ant Killer
4. Poor Drainages and Stagnant Water
Sometimes we allow water to stagnate and also flow in unwanted places which can be the beginning of carpenter ants in our houses.
- Things like obstructed gutters could easily redirect water onto the walls or cause splashing leading to moist walls and the environment.
- In turn, this will start attracting the carpenter ants into your home.
It is good to check on all your drainage systems and possible leaks that could lead to a highly humid room and attack by the carpenter ants.
5. Allowing Too Much Shade in Your House
Some houses are surrounded by too many trees that create a permanent shade around the house.
- These can lead to an ever cool and humid house that is very favorable for carpenter ants.
Timely and proper pruning of these trees can be a good way of avoiding such scenarios and allowing sufficient lighting and also temperatures.
6. Too Many Plants in Your Yard
Though carpenter ants don’t eat plants, many plants can easily attract them and later push them to your house.
- Most of these plants attract aphids which leave behind honeydew.
- This honeydew is a favorite food for these ants and it will attract them from any corner into your house.
Therefore try to keep your yard as clean as possible if you want to keep these ants.
7. Piling Wood near Home
This is a very common behavior with most people not knowing the danger it brings.
- The heaps of firewood around your house can be a host to a number of pests, insects, and animals among them carpenter ants.
- Once these piles of wood become moist, the ants will invade and try to chew through as they look for the best breeding places.
They can even spread over into your house as they look for food and other breeding areas. This also comes with its damage cost on the furniture and other furniture.
8. Ignoring Subtle Signs
There are some simple signs that are very important but mostly ignored because they look insignificant.
- For instance, you may see one or two ants roaming around your house as they look for food. You are also likely to see dead ants on the floor or on your premises.
- This is a red sign that should not ignore as you do your inspection on the infestation.
If you see fine sawdust from the ceiling or furniture, that’s a red alert that needs immediate intervention before any more damage. Though these ants eat the wood they will chew it and throw it out through tiny holes.
Read Also: Fire Ant Killer for Lawns
Carpenter Ant and the Changing Seasons
Carpenter ants are also affected by seasons. They will mostly attack during warm and humid seasons but hide and hibernate during the cold season.
- During the hibernation period, their bodies slow down their metabolism to reserve the energy and heat for the season.
- This does not happen all the time because when the winters are warmer, they forfeit the hibernation process.
However, you don’t have to wait for the carpenter ants to reach this level where they hibernate within your home.
You can contact a pest control expert for elimination the first time you spot the signs of infestation.
How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants
When you start seeing the subtle sign, do not ignore them but rather call and pest control expert.
- These signs can save from a lot of damage that carpenter ants cause when acted upon fast.
Again, keep your home clean and dry at all times. This keeps the ants off as they are attracted to moist and humid conditions.
Final Thoughts
What attracts carpenter ants in a home? Carpenter ants like sugary products and proteins and they will attack a home as they look for food.
- Also, moist and humid conditions and debris are also a good attraction to these ants.
- There are different signs to look for to know whether these ants have invaded your home.
- These ants are very difficult to control and also destructive to any wooden material within your home.
If the signs indicate any kind of infestation it is good to get in touch with a pest control expert to help in elimination.