Introduction
This blog is going to be about ants pest control for the spring of 2023. In the capacity of a pest control technician since 2006, and owner and operator of a family owned pest control company, I will share some insight on how to recognize the signs of an ant infestation. I will also share on how to deal with this situation and offer a few tips to successfully eliminate the problem.
If you are living in the Squamish or Sea to Sky areas of British Columbia, you are probably feeling and smelling the change in the air like I do. Well, guess what? The ants do too!
I am writing this blog in early March, and I expect to start getting calls from people mid to late March telling me they are being invaded by big black ants. By experience I know this is about when Carpenter ants start to emerge in my area.
Even if you’ve never seen ants in your home before, don’t assume it’s a new problem. If you’re seeing them in the early spring, it’s likely that a colony has reached maturity and is at least 3.5 to 5 years old.
Did you know that a carpenter ant queens can live up to 30 years, while male drones only live about a week or two? Remember this: It is better to see ants in your home for the first time this spring than having seen them last spring. If you thought you dealt with them by hitting them on the head with a can of Raid last year you might actually made your situation worst.
Ant infestations don’t go away on their own, so it’s important to take corrective action now to protect your home.
So, how can you deal with these ants this upcoming spring? And how can you prevent a larger infestation?
Carpenter Ants
These little guys are incredible! They truly are Jack of all trades: They mine, excavate, farm, hunt, build, fight, nurse…
No wonder they been thriving for millions of years!
What Are Carpenter Ants
Carpenter ants are pretty common and known for causing some serious wood damage. They’re bigger than most other ant species. They come in different colours like black, reddish-brown, or a mix of black and red.
Unlike many other ants that live underground, carpenter ants prefer building their nests in wood. They particularly like wood that’s moist or already starting to rot. Carpenter ants excavate galleries in it to make their homes. Unfortunately, this can lead to structural damage if they’re not taken care of properly.
One way to tell carpenter ants apart from other ants is by their distinct body shape: A narrow waist and a rounded thorax with racing stripes. Carpenter ants are less aggressive than some other ants and move slower, too.
Knowing how to recognize carpenter ants is key to dealing with any potential infestations. Contact your local pest control this spring to identify what kind of ants you are dealing with this spring before using any kind of pesticides or homemade remedies you read about online. If it is a Carpenter ant infestation, there are real methods to deal with them permanently.
Spring 2023 Ant Emergence Facts
Let’s talk about carpenter ants and their emergence in the spring. It’s important for homeowners to be aware of when ants start to come out. This can help judge if you have a colony in your house, and can help you prevent a bigger infestation. Typically, ants start to emerge in the early spring, so it’s a good idea to keep this in mind. They will also come back in force later on this summer for a second round.
IF you spotted ants in your home this spring, it’s possible that they’ve already been there for 3.5 to 5 years. Carpenter ants take a long time to establish a colony, and they will constantly caused damage to your property no matter how old the colony is. It’s important to act fast because ants can quickly become a danger to your health and safety, ruin your food, and cause structural damage to your home.
Ants Emergence Trigger This Spring 2023
As the weather starts to warm up, you’ll begin to notice ants coming out of hiding. These little guys are just a small part of a larger colony drawn out by longer days and the warm sun’s rays from the south. Most of the ants you’ll see in your home will be female workers and male reproducers, drones (with wings). Ants tend to congregate around windows where it is brightly lit because they want to get outside to reproduce. Did you know carpenter ants reproduce while in flight?
A variety of ants emerge in the spring, carpenter ants are the most common type of ant you’ll see early in the spring. Why are they emerging in your home you may ask. Well, they like to hide in the cracks between framing lumber that make up the structure of your house. It’s warm, safe, dark, and if there is moisture accumulation, it makes a perfect environment for them to thrive. keep an eye on leaks and little packs of sawdust where there shouldn’t be any. Take preventative steps early on to save yourself time, money, and headaches down the line.
If you don’t take care of them, carpenter ants can really mess up your house and other wooden structures. Unlike termites, they don’t actually eat wood, but they dig galleries in the wood to make their nests. This can gradually weaken the wood and even cause it to fall apart or collapse entirely over time. I have actually been in homes in Tsawwassen around 2007 and more recently Whistler in 2022: The whole back walls in these garages were infested. The inspection revealed that both garages walls were only holding up by the drywall and exterior siding. All the studs in the walls were completely eaten through. A strong wind gust or snow accumulation on the roof could have collapsed the whole garage down. This can be extremely dangerous for anyone living in a home infested with carpenter ants, no jokes.
Spring 2023 homeowner pest control checklist
These tips are helpful for homeowners to identify and prevent carpenter ant infestations. It is important to seal food sources and keeping the home dry. Homeowners can also remove potential entry sites by sealing any cracks or gaps in the home’s foundation or walls. Regular inspections of the home can help catch a carpenter ant infestation before it becomes severe. Additionally, working with a pest control professional is crucial to identifying the source of the infestation. These professionals will target the source and apply an appropriate residual treatment in order to avoid a return.
Helpful To-Do List
- Keep the home dry: Carpenter ants are attracted to moisture, so it’s important to keep the home dry. Fix any leaks or plumbing issues. Use a dehumidifier to reduce moisture levels in damp areas like basements, crawlspaces and bathrooms. Wrap water pipes where accessible with foam insulator sleeves. – This is probably the most important thing you can do since water pipe tend to sweat a lot more in the spring.
- Exclude potential entry points and attractants: Carpenter ants will look for areas to nest in moist, decaying wood. Remove any old tree stumps, logs, or piles of firewood from around the home. Pull dirt away from the siding of wodden structures like decks, swings, benches…
- Seal cracks and gaps: Carpenter ants can enter the home through small cracks and gaps. Inspect the foundation, around windows, utility hook ups, soffit, gable ends flashing, bottom, top and joints on siding. Seal any openings with caulk, expanding foam, screen or weatherstripping to prevent ants from getting inside is the first step.
- Keep food sealed: Carpenter ants are attracted to your food and moisture. Store all food in sealed containers and clean up any spills or crumbs right away. Pet food and water bowl on the floor are also at risk.
- Trim trees and shrubs: Carpenter ants may use branches or shrubs as a bridge to get into the home. Keep trees and shrubs trimmed away from the house to prevent ants from accessing the structure.
- Inspect the home regularly: Regular inspections can help catch a carpenter ant infestation before it becomes too severe. Look for sawdust or wood shavings around the home, as well as any signs of ants crawling in or out of cracks or gaps. The best time to perform your inspection is at dusk.
- Work with a pest control professional: If you suspect a carpenter ant infestation, it’s important to work with a pest control professional right away.
Other Common Ants Spring of 2023
These types of ants may be a nuisance to homeowners for several reasons. They can contaminate food and surfaces, and their presence can be unsightly and unpleasant. Some species may also cause damage to the home or its contents, such as by chewing through electrical wires or damaging insulation.
There are several types of ants and other insect species that may emerge in the spring in British Columbia. Some common types of ants that homeowners may encounter include:
- Pavement ants: These ants are small and brown or black, and are commonly found on sidewalks, driveways, and other paved surfaces. They are the little culprits who make these little sand mounds. They may enter the home in search of food or shelter, and they are fast runners.
- Odorous house ants: These ants are small and brown, and emit a distinctive odour when crushed, similar to coconut or blue cheese. They may enter the home in search of food or water.
- Pharaoh ants: These ants are very small and light-coloured, and are commonly found in kitchens and other areas with food sources. They can be difficult to control and may require professional pest control services. Whatever you do, never use pesticide aerosol on these ants, you will create more problems by doing so.
- Thatching ants: These ants are reddish-brown to black in colour and can be up to 1/2 inch long. They are known for building large mounds made of grass and other plant materials. Thatching ants can be aggressive and may sting if provoked. They are typically found in grassy areas and can be a nuisance for homeowners trying to maintain a manicured lawn.
Conclusion
When it comes to pests in British Columbia, carpenter ants can be one of the most destructive. These ants can cause serious damage to your home if they are left unchecked. Luckily there are preventative steps you can take to avoid infestations. By keeping your home dry, sealing cracks and gaps, removing potential nesting sites, and trimming trees and shrubs, you can help prevent these pests from making a home in your house.
However, it’s not just carpenter ants that you should be wary of. Pavement ants, odorous house ants, pharaoh ants, and thatching ants are all common in the area and can also cause problems. It’s important to identify the species of ant you’re dealing with before attempting to treat them with pesticides.
If you’re dealing with an ant infestation, it’s important to work with a pest control professional like our family-owned company based in Squamish BC. Our expertise and experience can help you identify the species of ants present, locate the source of the infestation, and provide targeted treatments to effectively control the problem. We understand how important it is to maintain the health and safety of your home and family, just like we do for our own.
Don’t wait until the problem becomes severe. If you suspect an ant infestation in your home, contact us now. Let us help you protect your home and keep it pest-free.