
Carpenter ants are classified as a hidden defect because their invasion can damage the structure of a building to the point of weakening it and causing it to collapse, and you may not even notice.
In their natural environment, these insects burrow into the wood. This act helps speed up the decomposition of the material, but if they do it in your home, they may end up throwing it away.
When a colony of carpenter ants invades a building, they usually build their colonies in the areas where there is wood and, at first glance, everything appears to be in order.
Although carpenter ants will bite and discard wood because it serves as a pathway, they can modify this behavior by making it more difficult to locate.
In our experience, although rare, it is possible for carpenter ants to take up residence in existing moldings and voids, leaving no trace of sawdust promontories.
Now that you know carpenter ants are a hidden defect, consider giving us a call. As AKL Exterminator, we are ready to preemptively and remedially monitor your property.
The ravages of carpenter ants
The hidden defect of carpenter ants is a serious situation: it devalues the property and puts the structure at risk.
This imperfection can go unnoticed by the inexperienced, so we recommend inspecting key areas, such as the washing and cleaning area or where plumbing is exposed.
Also try to check areas of the house where there is little traffic or furniture and books that are stored. Gutters and drains should also be inspected. Water is a vital resource for them.
Since carpenter ants are a hidden defect, you can call us to do an official inspection and eliminate them once and for all.
If you are considering selling your property, you can request an official inspection from us. Why? Because the hidden defect of carpenter ants can be the subject of a lawsuit.
If you are considering buying a property, we can also provide you with an inspection to ensure that you are buying a quality structure. Or if you simply want to preserve the value of the property you already own, you can request our inspection.
If you have just purchased a home and detect the hidden defect of carpenter ants, you should immediately call your real estate attorney and then call us.
How do carpenter ants work?
To combat them, you need to know a little more about their behavior. Did you know that carpenter ants hibernate? Don’t look for them in winter, look for them in other seasons.
In the winter, they move little, perhaps only in warm spaces, which are minimal during this season.
They mate in summer and the female lays an average of 20 eggs. To think that everything starts with an ant!
A carpenter ant’s nest may be in an area outside the house, but that doesn’t mean they will stop infesting the house. They use the hallways to get to or from their food.
If they have built a nest inside, it may be a satellite of the colony and there may be other nests outside.
Carpenter ants are called “hidden defects” because they can disintegrate wood supports, door sills, beams, posts, pillars, door frames, windows and the junction between the ceiling and walls.
Extermination of carpenter ants should go hand in hand with the repair. A sprayer or bait can partially control them, but the strategy is to control them once and for all.
As professionals, we work hard to find their tracks and apply our treatments. We also monitor them to ensure they can be controlled without risk to you or your family’s health. We’re ready to give you back the peace of mind of living in a bug-free home.
If you want to know a little more about carpenter ants and why you should control them, you can read the article How to Get Rid of Carpenter Ants in Your Home?