The size and color of carpenter ants vary considerably between species and with carpenter ants from the same colony. Look for the carpenter ant’s smooth rounded thorax and single node (the small triangular connection between the thorax and the abdomen; some ants have two nodes). A mature colony may contain as many as 10,000 carpenter ants. Fortunately, there are some things New Jersey homeowners can do to prevent NJ carpenter ants from harming their home.
• Try to minimize wood-to-soil contact such as landscape timbers, fencing or decking. If it’s unavoidable use the proper type of pressure treated timber to lower the risk.
• They enjoy moist and damp wood so remove all of it. Also remove rotting wood, waste wood and log stumps.
• Fix plumbing leaks, roof leaks and other types of moisture problems which attract carpenter ants.
• Clip back tree limbs and vegetation touching the siding of the house or the roof. Branches and limbs serve as bridges between carpenter ants living in a dead tree limb and the house.
• Elevate firewood off the ground and put a non-organic material beneath them. Keep firewood away from the foundation. Don’t stack firewood in the garage because firewood is a popular nesting area for carpenter ants. Also, check firewood for carpenter ants before putting it into a stack.
• Seal cracks and openings in the foundation, particularly where utility pipes and wires enter from the outside.
• Remove all dead, poor health and rotting trees located near your house. These types of environments are popular with carpenter ants.
Ask a NJ pest control company to eliminate a carpenter ant infestation. To prevent an invasion of carpenter ants keep up the maintenance of your property and surrounding area. Continually perform inspections for carpenter ants.