Carpenter Ants: 3 Warning Signs Your Home is Being Invaded

Carpenter ants invading St Louis Missouri home - Blue Chip Pest Services

The occasional ant crawling through your kitchen may not seem like cause for concern. You might think it’s a one-off—remove it and carry on. While this may work for small ant problems in the home, it won’t get rid of a serious infestation. You may have seen a single ant, but chances are you have hundreds lurking.

One of the most dangerous ants is carpenter ants. As wood-destroying insects, carpenter ants are often confused for termites. Blue Chip Pest Services is here to share all you need to know about identifying the warning signs your home is being invaded by carpenter ants.

Signs of Carpenter Ants in St. Louis

Most people’s first thought is that the pest they happen to catch came in through a crack or hole. It’s more likely that the pests are already making themselves comfortable inside your home. Chances are they even have a nest in your wall and have been living there for some time. Common signs of carpenter ants include:

  1. Line of black ants. Those seemingly harmless ants that come marching single file across your mudroom floor are a warning sign—take them seriously. Maybe your child dripped her juice or the dog food left out is attracting them. But in any case, don’t discount this obvious sign of a problem as a one-off.
  2. Sawdust in odd places. Where did that come from? Most homeowners may not even blink an eye at a little sawdust sprinkled in their storage area, but did you know that could be the work of some industrious—and destructive pests that are large in number? Carpenter ants will push sawdust out of holes.
  3. Winged insects. Similar to termites, carpenter ants will swarm in the springtime. Winged ants will leave an existing colony to mate and form new colonies. Swarmers are about 3/4″ in size. Seeing these winged insects indicates that carpenter ants have nested nearby.

How Do I Get Rid of Carpenter Ants?

Getting rid of carpenter ants is not a DIY project. These pests are a problem for homeowners, accounting for millions of dollars of property damage every year. Blue Chip Pest Services is a certified, qualified, experienced provider of pest control services that will free your home of lurking carpenter ants. Contact our ant exterminators today to get started!

Can Non-Wood Homes Get Termite Infestations?

Can Non-Wood Homes Get Termite Infestations? - Blue Chip Pest Services in St. Louis MO

There is a common misconception that termites only infest wood. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Termites are after the cellulose contained within not just wood, but other materials as well. This puts even brick homes at risk of a termite infestation—while it may be more difficult to get inside a non-wood home, they can infest a variety of items inside or outside your property. With Termite Awareness Week 2021 wrapping up, the experts at Blue Chip Pest Services are here to share all you need to know about what may attract termites to your St. Louis home.

Do Termites Infest Brick Homes?

Yes, even a home built out of brick is susceptible to termite infestations. This is because there could be other risk factors at play. Wood stored near your home, moisture issues, wooden decks, and more could all put you at risk for a termite problem. The best way to know if you are protected against termites is to work with a professional termite exterminator. A thorough home inspection will pinpoint anything in or around your property that could put you at risk for termites in the future.

Termite Infestation Risks Around Your Home

Termites are opportunistic and, with the right conditions, can become active in a number of different environments. The three things they are most drawn to include:

  1. Moisture problems. Subterranean termites in particular are attracted to moisture, especially in soil. Standing water or excess moisture will invite termites to take up residence in your home. Always fix leaks, broken sprinkler systems, downspouts, and clogged gutters to ensure your are protected from moisture problems.
  2. Cracked foundations. Termites will take advantage of structural vulnerabilities, no matter whether your home is wooden or brick. A crack in the structure of your property allows for termites to easily build mud tubes upon it. Frequently inspect your home for cracks and make repairs as needed. Look for other issues that could contribute not just to termite problems, but all sorts of pest problems!
  3. Wood in contact with the soil. Even homes that aren’t made of wood can have siding, decks, porches, fences, posts, and more that contain wood. Any wood that comes into contact with your home’s exterior is at risk for termites. For this reason, avoid storing firewood on the ground near your property. Remove decaying logs or stumps, and avoid mulch. Trim back trees to avoid branches coming into contact with your home.

Keeping Termites Away From Non-Wood Homes in St. Louis

No matter what type of home you own, it’s best to team up with your local termite exterminators for year-round protection. A termite control expert such as Blue Chip can thoroughly inspect your property and pinpoint anything that may be worrisome for termite problems. Contact us today to get started!