The Best Way To Keep Your Oklahoma City Home Safe From Carpenter Ants

close up of a carpenter ant on the ground outside
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When you think about pests that can destroy property, you might first think about termites. Or, you might even imagine rodents or dirty pests such as cockroaches. However, there is one destructive pest that many people don’t think much about. This pest is the carpenter ant. These ants in Oklahoma City can destroy wooden items, although they don’t eat the wooden fibers as termites do. Instead, they tunnel into it to build colonies and nests. To protect your property from carpenter ants, learn more about Oklahoma City pest control for ants.

Signs Of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ant damage can be similar to the damage done by termites, but there are some differences. Carpenter ants usually prefer to tunnel into softer wood such as pine or untreated or weathered wooden structures. Overall, this carpenter ant damage doesn’t usually show up right away, but it's still helpful to know signs of carpenter ants, so you know what to watch out for:

  • Finding sawdust-like piles that come from the carpenter ants pushing out wooden fibers.
  • Noticing holes in drywall, insulation, and wooden items and structures.
  • Smooth holes in wooden items. The tunnels that carpenter ants make are usually smoother than termite tunnels.

The Extent Of Damage Carpenter Ants Can Do To Your Property

Carpenter ants are a problem, and they can lead to hundreds if not thousands of dollars worth of damage. If they get into decks, siding, outbuildings, or even the structural elements of your home, you may have to repair entire sections of the building. Overall, termites are often more elusive, but this is usually because they are a bit harder to identify. Carpenter ants are also more likely to be found outside, but they come indoors.

How To Completely Get Rid Of Carpenter Ants

Carpenter ants are difficult to prevent. They can tunnel into the wood, so it is difficult to access them. They can also create large colonies with many individuals. So, while you could attempt to get ant control done on your own, most of the options available at stores don’t work that well.

Instead, the best way to remove carpenter ants is with ant control help from Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma. Our ongoing pest control plans can deter many ant species, including carpenter ants, from making your house a home. These pest control plans also include treatment for existing infestations.

How To Keep Carpenter Ants From Coming Back

Once we’ve eradicated any carpenter ants, we will apply treatments regularly to keep them from returning. To help us out, there are also steps you can take to prevent carpenter ants, such as:

  • Keep porches, decks, and other wood outside your property treated with stain or paint.
  • Store woodpiles in dry, organized places and keep them from the home's exterior.
  • Address moisture problems by fixing any leaky plumbing, removing standing water, and ensuring rainwater can drain.
  • Trim back trees and other plants from the outer walls of the house.

Find out more about ant prevention and get started protecting your home from carpenter ants today. Contact Guaranteed Pest Service of Oklahoma over the phone or send us a message online.

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