Carpenter ants make their nest in wood. Many people confuse carpenter ants with termites. Termites are insects which consume wood whereas carpenter ants just build their nests in dead and damp wood. Carpenter ants often attach wooden structures and furniture and can cause lot of damage.
How to get rid of carpenter ants
Carpenter ants hollow dead tree limbs, timers, woods in homes etc. to make their nest. They only chisel the wood and don’t actually eat it like termites. In a house many objects and furniture are made of wood. Carpenter ants can infect anywhere. They usually make their nests under the window, decks, porches etc. They like to be in damp wood but even soft wood is comfortable for them. Let’s have a look at how to Fjerne maur and how to control their population.
Sprays: Spraying pesticide will not be of much value as you will be killing only a fraction of the whole population. They major part of the ants would be sitting in the colony and you will be killing only the workers.
Treating the affected area: one should go for a treatment which targets the whole colony. Firstly, locate the colony by seeing where the saw dust is coming from. Once you find the place use a dust insecticide for use in wood. Apply it directly into the cavity. Use a tube to do this and not the hands. Fill a bottle full of the dust insecticide and inject the dust by squeezing and releasing the bottle. However it will be better if you call a professional pest controller.
Baits: some insects and animals can be fooled with habits but not all. The carpenter ant feeds on much different stuff and thus bait might not be very successful.
Use dust formulations: There are many dust formulations made for home use. Some of them are: Apicide, Deltadust, Drione. These are used by professionals and may not be given over the counter. These formulations are used to control bees and ants which get stuck in the wall. While using these, make sure it does not come into contact with humans or pets.
Liquid insecticides: these insecticides are smart and do not kill the infected insect immediately. Instead it works like a virus and infects other members of the colony as well. But these are very strong and can only be used twice a year. It cannot be used anytime you feel like as it is harmful for human too. They are only to be used by licensed pesticide applicator.
Problems while applying
Always try to target the colony and apply the pesticide or dust. Do not apply it haywire as it will be disruptive. Sometime you might have to use the sprays on a monthly basis. To prevent more infection trim all the branches of trees which surround your house, so that the branches do not touch the house. Also paint exposed wood furniture’s and replace already infected wood and furniture.