Carpenter Ants – Do it yourself or hire a professional?

Carpenter ants are some of Seattle’s most problematic pests.  They are prolific in this region and pose a serious threat to home owners because they are a wood destroying organism.   Left unattended a carpenter ant infestation can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage to a home or business.  In this day and age of “do it yourself”resources and  internet information, a carpenter ant problem may be something to consider solving yourself.  Let’s examine when you should do it yourself and when you might want to call in the pros.

Are you sure they’re carpenter ants?

Depending on the type of ant, the treatment may vary.  Products used to get rid of carpenter ants can actually make a sugar ant problem worse!  If your not sure what type of ant your dealing with, look into getting a free estimate.  Then, even if you don’t choose to have the pest control company treat your home, you at least know what your dealing with.

Is there a carpenter ant colony in your house?
Carpenter ants may have established a satellite colony somewhere in your home or business.  A satellite colony is established when a parent colony, which exists outside in nature, grows large and needs to expand.  If this is the case getting rid of them may require a professional.  Even if you locate the colony it may be difficult to apply an insecticide effectively.  The colony may be in a wall void, the crawlspace, or underneath insulation in your attic.  A professional pest control technician has access to whats called a transfer insecticide.  A transfer insecticide is undetected by the ants.  Once an ant comes in contact with this product, it then infects all other ants it comes in contact with.  This type of insecticide is very effective for satellite colonies, but by law can only be applied by a licensed pest control professional.

Even if you see a few carpenter ants in your home or building, it does not mean a satellite colony has been established.  Here are some signs that there is a satellite colony inside:

• Rustling sounds in the walls or ceiling.
• Small piles of material that looks like sawdust.
• Consistent and frequent ants found inside.
• Ants trailing into house.  Trails are most active at night.

Doing it Yourself
If you have determined that you do not have a colony inside your house then doing yourself may be an option.  Keeping carpenter ants away  requires applying a barrier around the outside perimeter of your home or business.  This will also prevent ants from establishing a satellite colony.  You will need a sprayer and an effective insecticide.   Many professional grade insecticides can be purchased online or locally here in Seattle at Do It Yourself Pest Control.com