PESTS: They are a nuisance but the damage they do is usually minor
Joanne Hatherly
Sun
Pest exterminator Paul Mumby has some comforting words for homeowners beset by carpenter ants.
“You’re dealing with a colonial insect, so they’re not like termites that will move into the whole structure,” says Mumby, partner at Professional Ecological Services in Victoria. “Carpenter ants are major nuisance pests but they do minor damage.”
Mumby says newer homes near forested zones are more prone to ant problems. Homeowners can make their properties less welcoming to these pests by keeping plants, lumber and firewood piles well away from the house structure.
“Anything that touches the house becomes a pathway for the ant to get in,” he says. He also recommends homeowners check for openings in the building envelope that provide a gateway for pests, especially around windows, the seams where foundation and wood framing meet, and vents.
Dried-out pine needles inside your home are a little-known sign that ants are forming a satellite colony. “They like moisture, not wet, but just a little bit of dampness. We’ve found that ants bring fresh pine needles into a satellite colony and then remove them when they’ve dried out.”
If you see an ant creeping across your floor, don’t step on it. “When people find something, bring it in dead or alive to a reputable company. There are a few that are well-versed in insect biology. The key to control is getting them identified properly,” says Mumby.
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